أنا بحب

Using it is simple. Just place it before a noun or another verb. If you want to say 'I like coffee,' say أنا بحب القهوة. If you want to say 'I like to swim,' say أنا بحب اسبح. The ب at the start of بحب marks it as a habitual or present action in spoken dialects. You can even drop the أنا (I) because the verb already tells us who is talking.

Use it when you are ordering food at a restaurant. Use it when meeting new people to talk about your hobbies. It is perfect for texting friends about a new song you found. It is also the standard way to tell someone you have feelings for them. It fits into almost any casual or semi-formal conversation.

Avoid this in very formal Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) settings. In a formal speech or a legal document, you would use أُحب (Uhibbu) without the ب. Also, if you are trying to be very polite or indirect, you might use أفضل (I prefer) instead. Don't use it if you are trying to sound distant or overly professional.

Arabic culture is famously expressive and passionate. Using the word for 'love' for everyday things isn't seen as an exaggeration. It reflects the warmth of social interactions. Whether it is a grandmother's cooking or a beautiful view, 'love' is the default setting for appreciation. It creates an immediate bond of shared enthusiasm.

You might hear بحبّك (bahebbak) when speaking to a male or بحبِّك (bahebbik) to a female. In Egypt, the pronunciation of the 'h' is very sharp. In the Levant, it might sound a bit softer. Some people add كتير (kteer) at the end to mean 'I love it a lot.' It is the ultimate Swiss Army knife of Arabic phrases.