Love is universal. The way we talk about it? Not so much.

Every language has its own quirky way of describing the feeling of falling—tripping, crashing, or floating—into romance. But when translated literally, some of these idioms sound absolutely bizarre. Here are a few of our favourites.

1. English: “To have a crush”
In English, we “have a crush” on someone. But in many languages, this mild obsession sounds far more intense. In French, you might have un coup de foudre—literally “a lightning strike.” In Lithuanian, įsimylėti means “to fall into love.” And in Japanese, kokoro wo ubawareta translates to “my heart was stolen.” Suddenly, “crush” feels a bit underwhelming.

2. English: “To fall head over heels”
We use this to describe reckless, topsy-turvy love. But in Italian, they say prendere una cotta—“to take a baking.” Yes, like bread in an oven. In Polish, zadurzyć się means “to smoke oneself into love.” And in German, sich verlieben is practical and direct, but Liebeskummer—heartbreak—literally means “love-grief.” Poetic, isn’t it?

3. English: “The one”
In Spanish, they don’t say “you’re the one.” They say mi media naranja—“my half orange.” As in, you complete me like two halves of the same fruit. In Swedish, min andra hälft means “my other half.” Meanwhile, in Hungarian, a szívem csücske translates to “the tip of my heart.” Adorable.

4. English: “To tie the knot”
In French, marriage is se passer la corde au cou—“to put a rope around your neck.” Cheerful! Meanwhile, in Arabic, ‘aqd al-qiran means “tying the knot,” but literally refers to a union contract. Slightly less dramatic.

These idioms remind us that love isn’t just felt differently across cultures—it’s spoken differently, too. And when words fail, professional translation helps bridge the gap between hearts.

This Valentine’s Day, whether you’re writing a love letter in another language or decoding a partner’s romantic phrase, remember: some things are better lost in translation. Others just need the right interpreter.

Language school in Riga | Baltic Media