There are ways to say ‘I love you in text’ and it is legit? This is something that grabbed my eyeballs, because as someone who is terrible at texting it came as a surprise. Holding a conversation over text was like pulling teeth, and that’s probably why I never managed to turn my Bumble matches into real-life dates. But over time, I realized that texting requires a decent bit of effort, creativity, and thinking outside the box. And let me tell you, the results are totally worth it! Research even shows that sending thoughtful texts can bring more reassurance and affection into a relationship.
Fast forward to today, I’ve got a boyfriend who looks forward to every message I send. Now, I’ve perfected the secret ways to say “I love you” in text and I’m so excited to share them with you! Let’s take your texting game to the next level and make your messages as sweet as your love.
Table of Contents
How To Say ‘I Love You’ In A Secret Message Riddle
Sometimes, words can feel too simple to capture the full depth of our emotions. Love, in its truest form, is often more meaningful when it’s veiled in mystery, expressed in a secretive way that invites curiosity.
There’s a certain magic in expressing love in subtle, hidden ways, allowing it to be a treasure hunt of the heart. So, here are a few inconspicuous ways to say “I love you”—wrapped up in riddles for your partner to uncover, adding an element of surprise and wonder to your affection.
- “How do you spell your name with only two letters?”
Answer: QT!
- “A treasure that is more rare and valuable than gold but easier to lose. What is it?”
Answer: You, my darling.
- “What is mine but only you can have?”
Answer: My heart!
- “What did the phone say to the WiFi?”
Answer: We definitely have a connection.
- “What did the electrical socket say to the plug?”
Answer: We fit perfectly together!
You May Also Like: 7 Signs He Told His Friends He Likes You
Secret Ways To Say ‘I Love You’ In Code To Your SO
Who doesn’t love a little secret code? After all, we’ve all been captivated by spy movies and their mysterious use of Morse code! While binary code might feel a bit too complex for your special someone, there’s no need to overcomplicate things.
Sometimes, all it takes is a few clever numbers or simple symbols. So, let’s dive into these easy-to-use and creative ways to say “I love you” in a secret language!
- 143
You can use the numeronym ‘143’ to say ‘I love you’ in a secret code. It represents the number of letters in each word.
- 520
The pronunciation of 5 (wu), 2 (er), 0 (ling) in Mandarin sounds similar to “wo ai ni” (I love you).
- 5318008
Want to write “I love you” in hidden words? Here’s a fun trick: take the number 5318008, type it into a calculator, and then turn it upside down. Voila! It transforms into “I love you.”
- XOXO
In digital or texting communication, XOXO is a common way to say “hugs and kisses,” symbolizing affection and love.
- <3
The heart symbol “<3” is a universal way to express love in text and online, representing a stylized heart.
- 6-3-9
In Japanese, 6-3-9 (pronounced “roku-san-kyuu”) is often used as a playful way to represent “I love you,” as “roku” sounds like “love,” and the numbers are often used in affectionate contexts.
- 808
The angel number 808 signifies a powerful union with someone who matches your energy of confidence and trust. It’s a twin flame connection!
- 867-5309
This is inspired by the famous song “867-5309” by Tommy Tutone, which was a phone number used in the song to represent a kind of secret love connection. The digits can be used as a playful way to refer to someone special.
- 8=3
A visual representation of love, where the 8 represents a pair of lips, and the =3 is a cute way of drawing a kiss. Together it symbolizes “I love you.”
- ∞
It’s a reference from my favorite movie, The Fault In Our Stars. Hazel says, “Some infinities are bigger than other infinities… But Gus, my love, I cannot tell you how thankful I am for our little infinity,” acknowledging that while some experiences might be larger and more expansive, their love was special and meaningful.
How To Say ‘I Love You’ Secretly In Text Symbols
Still looking for secret ways to say “I love you” in text? It’s time to unleash your inner artist! All that art that you scribbled/doodled at the back of your notebook won’t go to waste. Let your imagination run wild and transform your messages into fun works of art!
- Classic heart
A simple and effective way to show love—this heart made of asterisks captures the depth of your affection!
****** ******
********** **********
************* *************
*****************************
***************************
*************************
*********************
***************
***********
*****
*
- Cute teddy bear
This adorable little bear with cute ears and a rounded face is a charming way to send love!
₍ᐢ. ̫.ᐢ₎。
- Flower
This flower symbolizes blossoming love, and it’s a perfect way to say “I love you” in a natural and sweet way.
@@@
@ @
@ @
@ @
@@@
|
|
|
- Queen card
A regal design to represent love—use the Queen card for that special someone who rules your heart!
+——–+
| Q |
| |
| ♠ |
| |
| Q |
+——–+
- King card
A majestic way to show your love—this King card design symbolizes strength and loyalty, just like your love.
♔♔♔♔♔
♔ ♔
♔ 👑 ♔
♔ ♔
♔♔♔♔♔
Say ‘I Love You’ Secretly Over Text With These Emojis
I used to get a little eye-roll from my boyfriend every time I sent emojis. He called them “conversation killers” (his words, not mine!). But over time, he realized emojis can sometimes speak louder than words. And now? His texts are filled with emojis too—I’d like to think I’m responsible for that conversion!
So, here are 10 ways to say “I love you” without actually saying those words and using emojis instead:
- 👁️💖💫
A unique way to say ‘I love you’ to your special someone is texting them the emojis ‘👁️💖💫’, which signify:
👁️ = I (The eye represents vision, individuality, and self-awareness)
💖 = Love (A shiny heart symbolizing deep love)
💫 = You (The sparkle or star represents something special and magical)
- 🥰 (Smiling face with hearts)
This one is a universally favorite emoji! Don’t you feel warm and loved when you get this in a text message? It’s like a virtual hug filled with adoration, making your heart smile. So send it after your first date, to let the other person know that your heart is overflowing with affection and joy from the experience.
- 🥺(I’m a baby)
The next in the list is this ‘simp’ emoji, which literally screams, “I’m begging you for your love”. With its big, pleading eyes and a hint of tears, it exudes an adorable desperation that’s hard to resist.
This emoji is perfect for blowing off a little steam after a tough argument, letting the other person know you’re ready to make up and that your heart is still full of love—despite the tension.
You May Also Like: 31 Text Examples To Start A Conversation After A Fight
- 💋 (Kiss mark)
If you want to say “I love you” in text to your crush but you’re feeling too shy to use those three words, try using this lipstick mark instead. After all, nobody gives a kiss like that to a platonic friend! This is a deep kiss, given in red lipstick and it signifies nothing but romantic love.
- 🤟 (Love you gesture)
I always mistook this one as an emoji for rock music fans or a simple “Yo!” moment. But, in American sign language, it’s a popular romantic gesture to convey the words “I love you”. So, what are you waiting for? Pick up your phone and send this to your special person instead of doom scrolling on Instagram!
- 😍 (Smiling face with heart-shaped eyes)
If you’re looking for a secret way to say “I’m so obsessed with you”, this emoji shows that you are their biggest cheerleader! It shows that your eyes become big, red hearts when you see them in that black shirt or black dress. And that you’re a hopeless romantic for your ‘pookie’.
- 🙈 (See-No-Evil monkey)
If you want to tell your best friend you’re feeling a little shy when they call you beautiful, you can use this emoji as your love note. They are making you blush and this monkey will let them know the mesmerizing affect their compliment has on you.
- 😈(Purple, devil-y smiley)
Feeling a little naughty? This smiley can be your savior when you send a risky text. This is for the days you want to flirt with them and physical touch is not possible. For example, “I can’t stop thinking about you… 😈 It’s driving me wild, and I kinda love it.”
- 🤗(Hug)
The hug emoji can be an ongoing reminder that all you want to do is die in their arms. A tight embrace has the power to melt away lingering tension and erase any resentment in an instant. So, if you both are fighting, send this emoji as a reminder that despite the conflict, there’s still love, comfort, and security in the relationship.
- 🎀(Pookie)
If you’re looking for GenZ things to say instead of “I love you”, this Pookie emoji is a classic message! Instead of overused nicknames like honey, darling or sweetheart, you can use this sweet pink bow for your other half. It’s to tell them they are super cute and that you are absolutely fond of them.
Say ‘I Love You’ With Actions
“There is no need to say: Love, I love you. Let your whole being say it. If you love, it will say it, words are not needed at all. The way that you say it will express it; the way that you move will express it; the way that you look will express it. Your whole being will express it.
“Love is such a vital phenomenon that you cannot hide it. Has anybody ever been capable of hiding his love? Nobody can hide it..” Osho has written in the book When the Shoe Fits: Stories of the Taoist Mystic Chuang Tzu. You cannot hide all that love in the deepest corners of your heart. You have to find ways to express it and let it pour out of you. Here are some ways to say “I love you” differently:
You May Also Like: 200 Heartfelt One Word Compliments For Men
- Send a virtual love letter
Writing a love letter might seem like a challenge. After all, the last time you penned something poetic was back in 5th grade, and finding rhymes for “hat” can still make you pause. (Come on, bat, cat, mat—use a rhyming dictionary!) Jokes apart, writing has always been my savior, when it comes to crafting a personalized message for my boyfriend.
The movie Letters to Juliet still gets me all mushy! Let that love story inspire you to write a letter of your own, just like a real romantic. Expressing your feelings in heartfelt, romantic ways is not that difficult if you just let yourself pour your heart in their chat.
- Order their favorite dessert
Sending dessert to their workplace could be another way to say “I love you forever”. Picture this: they’re sitting there with their packed lunch, feeling a little down. Now, imagine the smile that lights up their face when the delivery guy shows up with a Blueberry cheesecake.
Along with the treat, text them a cute inside joke like “I know you need a slice of me right now but I hope this cheesecake makes up for it. Enjoy!”. Make them crack up with just the right words.
- Curate a romantic playlist
There’s a famous line from the movie Begin Again that says, “You can tell a lot about a person from what’s on their playlist.” Sharing music on text is like reaching the eighth base in a relationship—it’s an intimate, personalized gift. Dedicating songs to your perfect person might even bring a tear of joy in their eyes, as each song will forever remind them of you.
So bring out your inner DJ and curate a playlist of meaningful love songs that are special to both of you. It could have:
- Songs you both sing to on a road trip
- The first song you ever dedicated to her
- Her favorite songs
Or, maybe send them the song that always takes you back to those unforgettable, passionate moments together. (We all know The Weeknd knows how to set the mood right.)
- Book them a spa day
Skip the usual Valentine’s Day card and text them something like, “I am booking you a spa day to help you relax and feel pampered. You deserve it more than anyone I know!” Their hectic corporate job probably has them dealing with tension, stress, and back pain that only a professional masseuse can truly relieve.
You May Also Like: When A Guy Says ‘I Love You’ Over Text – How To Interpret And Respond
- Memes > Nudes
Looking for funny ways to say “I love you”? Try sending them memes. It could be cute videos of dogs/babies, a satire on something that recently happened, or relationship memes that you and your SO can relate to. The goal is simple: make them smile and remind them that you’re thinking of them in the most fun, lighthearted way.
- Movie recommendations
It’s a privilege if they not only laugh at the same jokes as you but also relish the same shows and movies as you. My ex dedicated 500 Days Of Summer to me and said I am like the protagonist. I was really happy until I saw the movie and realised she was a commitment phobic, emotionally unavailable woman! So, dedicate a movie to them but please don’t call them out like that.
- Send them a book
It’s the digital era after all. So, send them a PDF of your favorite book. It could also be a book that your therapist suggested. Maybe it will help them know more about their attachment style. Who knows? They might become better at loving you.
- Quotes
Let’s say your feelings are running deep but you are not able to articulate them. That’s when famous love quotes like these come to your rescue:
- “As he read, I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once.” – John Green
- “I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me. I love you for the part of me that you bring out.” – Elizabeth Barrett Browning
- “So, I love you because the entire universe conspired to help me find you.” – Paulo Coelho
Finally, we hope this article helps you express your feelings more creatively and confidently. The secret ways to say “I love you” in text won’t just enhance your romantic relationships—they’ll make your friendships stronger too! After all, everyone loves a witty and thoughtful texter, and with these tips, that’s exactly what you’ll become!
