How to translate 'Will you be my valentine?' in 20 languages (2024)

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Valentine's Day is a widely celebrated occasion around the world, known for its focus on relationships and love. While traditions may vary from country to country, the common theme is expressing affection and asking someone to be your Valentine. In different languages and cultures, the phrase "Will you be my Valentine?" is translated in various ways. Let's explore the translations and background information for each language mentioned in the article.

English

• Translation: "Will you be my Valentine?"
• Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14 in English-speaking countries.
• Traditions often involve spending time with a loved one and exchanging gifts like cards, red roses, and chocolate.

Danish

• Translation: "Glædelig Valentinsdag" (Happy Valentine's Day)
• Valentine's Day in Denmark is called Valentinsdag.
• The tradition is relatively new and inspired by the US and romantic movies.
• It typically involves giving roses, chocolate, or going out on a date.

Swedish

• Translation: "Massor av kärlek på alla hjärtans dag!" (Lots of love on Valentine's Day!)
• Valentine's Day in Sweden is known as Alla hjärtans dag (all hearts' day).
• The concept was introduced by businesses in the 60s but gained popularity in the 90s.
• It's a day when the sale of red roses peaks, and many couples treat themselves to a nice meal out.

Norwegian-Bokmal

• Translation: "Vil du bli min Valentin?" (Will you be my Valentine?)
• Valentine's Day became popular in Norway a few years ago and is known as Valentinsdagen or Alle hjerters dag (All hearts' day).

Finnish

• Translation: "Hyvää ystävänpäivää!" (Happy Friend's Day!)
• Valentine's Day in Finland is called ystävänpäivä, which translates to "Friend's Day."
• The day is more focused on friends than significant others.
• Many people send postcards or messages to their friends to express their importance.

German (Germany)

• Translation: "Willst du mein Valentin(sschatz) sein?" (Do you want to be my Valentine?)
• Valentine's Day in Germany is called Valentinstag.
• It has become popular within the last few decades.
• German traditions include giving cards, sweets, flowers, and celebrating romance.

Dutch

• Translation: "Wil jij mijn Valentijn zijn?" (Will you be my Valentine?)
• In the Netherlands, Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14 as Valentijnsdag.
• It's a day of romantic love, especially for secret lovers to express their feelings.

French

• Translation: "Veux-tu sortir avec moi pour la Saint-Valentin?" (Do you want to go out with me for Valentine's Day?)
• Valentine's Day in French is called Saint-Valentin.
• There is a small town in France named Saint-Valentin, considered the city of lovers.
• The town attracts couples from all over the world to get married surrounded by romance.

Tagalog

• Translation: "Gusto mo ba akong maka-date sa Araw ng Mga Puso?" (Do you want to go on a date with me on Valentine's Day?)
• Valentine's Day in the Philippines is called Araw ng mga Puso.
• School children make cards for their classmates, teachers, and parents.
• People give red roses, chocolates, and teddy bears. Dinner dates at restaurants are also popular among couples.

Italian (Italy)

• Translation: "Cosa fai a San Valentino?" (What are you doing on Valentine's Day?)
• Valentine's Day in Italy is known as La Festa Degli Innamorati.
• It is celebrated by couples and lovers who plan romantic dinners, go to the cinema, and exchange flowers and boxes of chocolate.

Spanish (Spain)

• Translation: "¿Quieres ser mi pareja?" (Do you want to be my partner?)
• Valentine's Day in Spain is known as Día de San Valentín or Día de los enamorados.
• It has been celebrated since 1948 after a large-scale advertising campaign by a department store.
• Traditions involve sharing gifts like cards, red roses, and chocolate.

Portuguese (Portugal)

• Translation: "Queres namorar comigo?" (Do you want to date me?)
• Valentine's Day in Portugal is known as Dia dos Namorados (Lover's Day).
• It's celebrated by couples who usually go out for a romantic dinner and exchange presents to show their appreciation for each other.

Portuguese (Brazil)

• Translation: "Quer namorar comigo?" (Do you want to date me?)
• In Brazil, Valentine's Day is not an important date, but they celebrate Dia dos Namorados (Lovers' Day) on June 12.
• It is a busy day for retail, restaurants, and hotels.
• The word "namorar" expresses the act of having a loving relationship in Portuguese.

Greek

• Translation: "Θέλεις να γίνεις ο Βαλεντίνος μου;" (Do you want to become my Valentine?)
• Valentine's Day in Greece is also called Η γιορτή των ερωτευμένων (Lovers' Day).
• It is mostly celebrated by young people and new couples.
• Celebrations involve red roses, gift-giving, and romantic candlelit dinners.

Russian

• Translation: "Будешь моей Валентинкой?" (Will you be my Valentine?)
• Valentine's Day in Russia is known as День Святого Валентина (St. Valentine's Day) or День влюбленных (The Lovers' Day).
• It is celebrated with gifts, flowers, chocolates, romantic dinners, movies, and even marriage proposals.
• Some Russians consider Valentine's Day too Western and commercial and prefer to celebrate Peter and Fevronia Day on July 8.

Polish

• Translation: "Będziesz moją Walentynką?" (Will you be my Valentine?)
• Walentynki is a relatively new celebration in Poland.
• It's an opportunity for young people to send anonymous love notes and for adults to go out for a romantic dinner.
• Women receive flowers, and window displays are decorated with hearts.

Japanese

• Translation: "ヴァレンタインの本命はキミ" (You are my Valentine)
• Valentine's Day is the most romantic day of the year in Japan.
• Traditionally, it was seen as embarrassing for a girl to say "I love you" to someone, but on this day, every girl is encouraged to express her love.
• Today, presents are shared with friends, family, and others, not just couples.

Chinese (Simplified)

• Translation: "你愿意和我过情人节吗？" (Would you like to spend Valentine's Day with me?)
• In China, there is a separate Valentine's Day called the Double Seventh Festival.
• It falls on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month and has its origins in an old tale.
• More and more Chinese people are celebrating this traditional festival, and Western Valentine's Day is also widely celebrated by young people who exchange roses, for example.

Turkish

• Translation: "Sevgililer günün kutlu olsun" (Happy Lover's Day)
• Valentine's Day in Turkey is called Sevgililer Günü (Lover's Day).
• It is a day to surprise your significant other with a gift, an evening out, or another suitable present and wish them a happy Valentine's Day.

Korean (South Korea)

• Translation: "밸런타인데이를 함께 보내주실래요?" (Would you like to spend Valentine's Day together?)
• Valentine's Day in South Korea is called 밸런타인데이 (Valentine's Day), borrowed from English.
• The day is primarily focused on men, and women typically give a box of chocolate to their boyfriends or someone they want to ask out.

These translations and background information provide insights into how Valentine's Day is celebrated in different cultures and languages. It's a special occasion that brings people together to express their love and affection for one another.