pero te quiero
/peɾo te kjeɾo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "but i love you" is translated into Spanish as pero te quiero.
This phrase is used to express affection for someone despite a conflicting situation or a disagreement.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, pero te quiero means "but I want you". In the context of people, the verb querer is the standard way to express "to love" in many Spanish-speaking regions.
Which one should you use?
While pero te quiero is a common way to express affection, you might use pero te amo to express a much deeper, more intense or strictly romantic love.
How do you pronounce it?
/peɾo te kjeɾo/
Did you know?
- The word pero evolved from the Latin phrase per hoc, which meant 'for this reason'. Over centuries, it shifted from explaining a cause to introducing a contrast.
- In certain dialects, the distinction between te quiero and te amo is so sharp that using te amo too early in a relationship can actually scare a partner away.
- Spanish has several words for love, such as cariño, which describes a tender affection that is softer than the love found in te quiero.
Examples in context
- ¡Pero te quiero!But I love you!This example shows the phrase used as an exclamation.Tatoeba #10093060 by manufrutos, translation #10087190 by ddnktr
- Me siento un poco incómodo al sacar el tema, pero te quiero.I feel a little uncomfortable bringing this up, but I love you.This example shows the phrase being used to express affection after mentioning a feeling of discomfort.Tatoeba #1100883 by Shishir, translation #869414 by CM
- Estamos discutiendo mucho, pero te quiero.We are arguing a lot, but I love you.
Example conversation
A couple is having a minor disagreement about their living arrangements.
- SofíaNo estamos de acuerdo en nada hoy.We don't agree on anything today.
- AlejandroEs verdad, es muy frustrante.It's true, it is very frustrating.
- SofíaLo sé, pero te quiero, Alejandro.I know, but I love you, Alejandro.
- AlejandroYo también te quiero, Sofía.I love you too, Sofía.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pero, te, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
