Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| amo-te | /ˈɐ̃.mu.t͡ʃi/ (Brazil) /ˈɐ.mu.tɨ/ (Portugal) |
|
| (eu) te amo | /ˈew t͡ʃi ˈɐ̃.mu/ (Brazil, word by word) | |
| (eu) amo você | /ˈew ˈɐ̃.mu voˈse/ (Brazil, word by word) | Brazil |
These phrases are used to affirm romantic feelings. In all versions, the pronoun eu (I) is often omitted because the conjugation of the verb amo already indicates that the subject is the first person singular.
Which one should you use?
The form amo-te is the standard way to say 'I love you' in European Portuguese, whereas Brazilian Portuguese typically uses different word orders or pronouns. In Brazil, (eu) te amo is the most common way to say it in spoken Portuguese, while (eu) amo você is often used when the speaker wants to be more explicit about the person being addressed.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Amo-te is the standard form for European Portuguese. (eu) te amo and (eu) amo você are used in Brazil.
How does it change in a sentence?
In all these forms, the pronoun eu is frequently omitted because the verb conjugation amo implies the first person singular subject.
How do you pronounce it?
3 syllables, stressed on the 1st syllable. IPA: /ˈɐ̃.mu.tʃi/
Did you know?
- Portuguese has a distinct word, saudade, to describe the longing or melancholy one feels when they love someone who is absent. It is often used alongside te amo to express the pain of separation.
- The word você contains a hidden history of politeness, having once required the speaker to essentially beg for 'mercy' from the person they were addressing.
- In Brazil, te amo is often reserved for deep romantic love or very close family. To express a lighter 'love' for a friend or an object, Brazilians typically use the verb gostar, as in gosto de você.
Examples in context
- Amo-te de todo o coração.I love you with all my heart.This sentence uses amo-te to show how to express loving someone with all your heart.Tatoeba #7101021 by iart61, translation #68788 by CK
- Amo-te mais que ontem e menos que amanhã.I love you more than yesterday and less than tomorrow.This sentence uses amo-te to show a poetic comparison of love over time.Tatoeba #2614247 by alexmarcelo, translation #2963419 by marcelostockle
- Amo-te.I love you.This sentence uses amo-te as a simple statement of love.Tatoeba #1382784 by tulio, translation #1434 by awael58
- Eu amo você, meu amor.I love you, my love.
- Amo-te mais do que palavras podem expressar.I love you more than words can express.
- Eu te amo demais!I love you so much!
- Amo você além das estrelas.I love you beyond the stars.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Beatriz and Rodrigo are saying goodbye before work.
- BeatrizEu tenho de ir agora, Rodrigo.I have to go now, Rodrigo.
- RodrigoTudo bem. Tenha um bom dia, Beatriz.That's fine. Have a good day, Beatriz.
- BeatrizObrigada. Amo-te!Thank you. I love you!
- RodrigoEu também amo-te.I love you too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “I love you” translations and entries amo-te, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (eu, te, amo, você) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries amo, te, você, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
