Dutch words for kids · Family
How to say “I love you” in Dutch
It's the phrase parents most want to hear, and one kids love to say. Many languages have a special, warm way to say it to family.
I love you in Dutch
ik hou van jou
Sounds like ≈ ik HOW vahn YOW
Good to know: Used with family and partners alike. Dutch j is an English y sound, so jou sounds like "yow".
Hear it in a song
Real lines from our Dutch songs, with the English meaning shown in the app:
Ik hou van jou!
I love you!
from Ik Hou van Jou (I Love You)
4 songs that teach it
“I love you” is one of the key words in these songs. Every line is shown in Dutch with its English meaning.
Ik Hou van Jou
I Love You · Family · Premium
- ik hou van jou · I love you
- het hart · heart
- kusjes · kisses
- samen · together
De Vormen
Shapes · Shapes · Premium
- de cirkel · circle
- het vierkant · square
- de driehoek · triangle
- de ster · star
Naar de Dokter
At the Doctor · Healthy Habits · Premium
- de dokter · doctor
- het hart · heart
- doe je mond wijd open · open wide
- de oren · ears
Tot aan de Maan
I Love You to the Moon · Bedtime Lullabies · Premium
- ik hou van jou · I love you
- heel veel · so much
- altijd · always
- mijn hart · my heart
Also sung in: Mijn Familie.
Practice ideas for parents
- 1Make ik hou van jou part of your bedtime goodnight, every night.
- 2Draw hearts together and say the phrase with each one.
- 3Leave a little note in a lunchbox with the phrase and a heart.
Related Dutch words
“I love you” in other languages
Sing it in Dutch, free
The first unit, 6 greeting songs with lyrics and English translation, is free forever. No card needed. Premium unlocks all 134 songs.
About the pronunciation: the “sounds like” spellings are rough English approximations for parents (capital letters show the stressed syllable). Dutchhas sounds English doesn't, so treat them as a starting point and let the songs be the model. Songs are original and produced with AI music tools. Ideas for using Dutch songs with your family.