What does it mean word for word?
Literally, lo quiero mucho translates to "I want him much". While the verb querer means "to want", when used in the context of people, it is the standard way to say "to love" or "to care for".
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction in intensity between different verbs. While lo quiero mucho is common for expressing affection toward friends and family, lo amo mucho is used for much deeper, more intense or romantic love.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, you can say Lo quiero un montón to mean "I love him a whole lot".
How does it change in a sentence?
You can adapt this phrase depending on who you are talking about or to. To change the object from "him" to "her", replace the direct object pronoun lo with la (e.g., la quiero mucho). If you are speaking directly to the person you love, replace lo with te (e.g., te quiero mucho).
How do you pronounce it?
/lo kjeɾo mutʃo/
Did you know?
- The word mucho shares an ancient root with the idea of something being 'crumbled' or 'crushed'. It stems from a Proto-Indo-European word meaning 'crumbled', suggesting a sense of large quantities being gathered or broken down.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, saying te quiero can be a cautious way to express affection without the overwhelming weight of te amo, which is often reserved for lifelong partners or extreme passion.
Examples in context
- Lo amo muchísimo, mi amorI love him so much, my love
- Lo quiero muchísimo. No puedo imaginar mi vida sin él.I love him so much. I can't imagine my life without him.
- Le tengo un amor enorme. Es el hombre de mis sueños.I have an enormous love for him. He is the man of my dreams.
- Lo quiero mucho, es mi mejor amigo.I love him so much, he is my best friend.
- Lo quiero mucho, es un gran hombre.I love him so much, he is a great man.
- Él es mi mejor amigo y lo quiero mucho.He is my best friend and I love him so much.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about María's brother.
- Alejandro¿Cómo está tu hermano?How is your brother?
- MaríaÉl está muy bien, lo quiero mucho.He is doing very well, I love him so much.
- AlejandroSe nota que lo aprecias.It shows that you appreciate him.
- MaríaSí, es una persona maravillosa.Yes, he is a wonderful person.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lo, mucho, CC BY-SA 4.0.
