hola mamá, te amo
/ˈola maˈma te ˈamo/word by word
The English phrase "hi mom, I love you" is translated into Spanish as hola mamá, te amo.
This phrase is a casual greeting and expression of affection used when speaking to one's mother.
Which one should you use?
While te amo is a deep expression of love, te quiero is a more common, slightly less intense way to say "I love you" to family members in many Spanish-speaking regions.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase te amo uses the object pronoun te (you) before the conjugated verb amo (I love). The word mamá is a noun that can be used as a direct address, often preceded by a comma in written text.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈola maˈma te ˈamo/
Did you know?
- The greeting hola might have its roots in a command used to hail ferrymen, rather than a friendly salutation.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, it is common to greet a mother with a single kiss on the right cheek while saying hola.
- In many Spanish-speaking families, children continue to use mamá as a primary form of address well into adulthood, regardless of age.
Examples in context
- Hola mamá, te amo mucho.Hi mom, I love you very much.
- Hola mamá, te amo de verdad.Hi mom, I truly love you.
Example conversation
Alejandro is calling his mother on the phone.
- AlejandroHola mamá, te amo.Hi mom, I love you.
- LucíaYo también te amo, hijo.I love you too, son.
- Alejandro¿Cómo estás hoy, Lucía?How are you today, Lucía?
- LucíaEstoy muy bien, gracias.I am very well, thank you.
