You love me? That’s so nice to hear, really. You know, I care deeply about you too.
Did those words give you some kind of horrifying flashback? Did you start to throw up in your mouth a little? Then we’re very sorry. Us too.
So, what does “care deeply” mean?
What Does “I Care Deeply” Mean?
If someone says “I care deeply”, that means that they care to a great extent. To care deeply about something is to be highly invested in it. If it’s a topic, you might know a lot about it. If it’s a person, you will be interested in their well-being.
To “care” about something is to feel interested in it and to believe that it is important. To do it “deeply” is to do it to an extreme extent.
If someone says “I care deeply for you”, they’re telling you that you hold a place in their heart. It means that they have a depth of affection for you and should be there to support you when needed.
This phrase is generally associated with platonic feelings rather than romantic ones. So, if you’re having the time of your life being single, when a guy says they “care deeply for you”, don’t panic! It doesn’t mean that they fancy you. You don’t have to let them down easily.
Unless you also don’t want to be friends with them, in which case you might have to let them down easily.
Care Deeply vs. Having Feelings
“Having feelings” for someone is a common idiom we use to express having romantic feelings for someone.
It might be a little confusing, as there are many different feelings you can have for a person, like hate, indifference, mild disapproval, etc. But when we use “feelings” on its own this way, we understand that those feelings are romantic. Take a look at this example:
- I’m having feelings for Matthew, but I’m worried he just sees me as a friend.
To “care deeply” is different from “having feelings”, as it normally isn’t associated with romantic feelings. It means that someone is important to you, and you’re invested in their wellbeing, but not necessarily that you think they’re dreamy and want to kiss them. Like this:
- I care deeply about Faiza, but I just don’t have feelings for her.
It’s totally possible to “have feelings” for someone and not “care deeply” for them and the other way around.
“Having feelings” is normally used when you’re discussing someone you’re not (yet) in a relationship with. It means that you fancy or have a crush on them but not always that you’re deeply invested in them:
- I still have feelings for Matthew, but I don’t think I’ll ever care deeply about him.
Is to Care Deeply Always Romantic?
To “care deeply” is not always romantic. In fact, the phrase is more often associated with platonic feelings. It is a way of saying that someone is important to you without going so far as to say that you love them.
If someone says they “care deeply” for you but hasn’t also said they love you, it is much safer to assume they don’t.
- I’m sorry. I care deeply about you, but I just don’t see you in that way.
- It’s not that I don’t care deeply for you; I’m just not ready for a relationship right now.
- I didn’t mean to give you the wrong impression. I do care deeply about you.
It could be romantic on occasion, though:
- Of course, I care deeply about my wife! She’s my wife!
I Care Deeply – Synonyms
Let’s look at some phrases you can say instead of “I care deeply” that will have the same message:
- I care a lot
- I care very much
- I hold you dear to my heart
- I’m very fond
- I care greatly
What to Reply to “I Care Deeply”
If you’re wondering what to reply to “I care deeply”, it depends on the context. You can reply with anything you want, really. You can reply by just loudly screaming in their face for 30 seconds. It would be weird, but you totally can.
Otherwise, if you’re disappointed that someone is saying they don’t like you romantically, you could say that you’re glad they care for you and appreciate their friendship. However, you’re going to need a little time away from them to process your feelings. Or you could go for the screaming.
If someone you care about deeply is expressing their friendship for you, then a great response would be a lovely “thank you”, perhaps followed by you returning the sentiment.
If a weird person you don’t like much is saying it, politely nod and quickly make an escape. Or do the screaming.
Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here.
