When you need this
You met someone three weeks ago and you can't stop thinking about them. Is it love? Friends will ask, and you'll probably ask yourself. English has a lot of words for this early, exciting stage, and a few for the slower thing that can come after.
A crush is a strong attraction, often fast and often to someone you don't know very well yet. Your heart jumps when they text. It's fun, a little silly, and completely normal at any age. People say "I have a crush on her" with a smile, because it's light. "I'm falling for him" is deeper: the feeling is growing into something real. "I'm in love" is the big one, and most people wait until they really know the other person before they say it.
Friends often gently check which one it is. "How well do you know him, though?" isn't rude. It's a friend making sure you're happy about the person, not only the feeling. Answers like "It's still early" or "We're taking it slow" tell them you're thinking clearly.
Phrases
you're attracted to someone, lightly or secretly
she's on your mind all the time
a nervous, happy feeling in your stomach
the feeling is becoming real love
completely in love, often very happy about it
the relationship is new; you don't know yet
you're not hurrying the relationship
the feeling is serious now
a friend checks you're thinking clearly
the early time when everything feels perfect
you believe your feeling is real love
relaxed: no promises about the future
Say it out loud
Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.
Practice · 3 min
Say how you feel. Situation on the left, one natural line on the right.
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Say it today
Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.