Steve and Mia: Lust in translation: Steve & Mia's guide to what guys and gals really mean

ROMANCE, like diplomacy, has a language all its own. Often, words carry a different meaning than normal. This can lead to unnecessary confusion and anger.

With Valentine's Day approaching, and in the spirit of "He's Just Not That Into You," the new movie about romantic miscommunication based on a line from an episode of HBO's "Sex and the City," the Daily News asked romance columnists Steve and Mia for a translation of common phrases.

Here's their Romance-to-English dictionary. Steve will translate the phrase when spoken by a man, while Mia translates when spoken by a woman:

Do you believe in love at first sight?

Steve: Will you sleep with me?

Mia: You're hot.

I love your eyes.

Steve: Will you sleep with me?

Mia: I love your biceps.

I've been hoping to meet you.

Steve: I've been hoping to sleep with you.

Mia: Why haven't you noticed me already?

I can't explain it, but I need you.

Steve: I really, really want to sleep with you.

Mia: Do me.

I like you, but I don't like you like you.

Mia: I hate you.

Steve: I like you enough to sleep with you, but that's it.

You're too good for me.

Mia: I'm sleeping with your best friend.

Steve: I'm sleeping with everybody.

I don't want to ruin our friendship by getting involved.

Mia: I don't want to have sex with you.

Steve: I'd have to be really drunk to have sex with you.

It's not you, it's me.

Steve: It's definitely you.

Mia: It's definitely you.

I love our relationship.

Steve: But I don't love you.

Mia: At least until something better comes along.

If you really cared about me, you'd try it.

Mia: Just let me give you a pedicure.

Steve: Hand your self-respect over to me.

I just need more time.

Mia: I'm playing hard to get.

Steve: Lots and lots more time.

I think we need some time off.

Mia: I've checked my options and I think I can do better.

Steve: Goodbye.

We can still be friends.

Steve: Goodbye.

Mia: I really want to end this conversation.

He/she doesn't have to know.

Steve: He is guaranteed to find out, but let's do it anyway.

Mia: At least I won't tell your girlfriend myself.

I'm just not looking for anything serious right now.

Mia: I'm sleeping with other guys and don't plan to stop.

Steve: I'm sleeping with other women and don't plan to stop.

We can be friends with benefits.

Steve: Let me use you.

Mia: I want to sleep with you, but I don't want to bring you out in public.

I love shopping with you and hanging out, but a romance wouldn't work.

Steve: I'm gay.

Mia: I think you're on the down low.

I can't possibly get/get you pregnant.

Mia: I'm a liar.