Los quiero, papá y mamá
The English phrase "I love you, dad and mom" is translated into Spanish as Los quiero, papá y mamá.
This phrase is an expression of affection used when speaking to both one's father and mother. You can also use the shorter form Los quiero, papás to address both parents at once.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Los quiero literally means "I want them" or "I love them/you all", where los acts as the direct object pronoun for a group of people.
Which one should you use?
Using Los amo, papá y mamá expresses a much deeper, more intense or more formal type of love than the standard quiero. In terms of addressing the parents, you can use the specific papá y mamá or the shorter plural papás.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you can use Os quiero, papá y mamá or Os amo, papá y mamá instead of the forms using Los. In Latin America, you can say Los quiero un montón, papá y mamá to mean "I love you a lot, Dad and Mom".
Did you know?
- The word papá is actually a loanword from French. While it feels deeply Spanish, it entered the language via the Middle French word 'papa'.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, it is more common to show affection to parents through physical gestures or acts of service than by saying Los quiero out loud.
- The word querer in Los quiero can also mean 'to want' or 'to desire', making the expression of love linguistically linked to the idea of wanting someone in one's life.
Examples in context
- Te amo, papá y mamá. Son lo mejor que me ha pasado en la vida.I love you, Dad and Mom. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me.
- ¡Los quiero, papá y mamá! ¡Gracias por todo!I love you, dad and mom! Thanks for everything!
Example conversation
Elena is calling her parents on the phone.
- ElenaHola, solo quería decir que los quiero, papá y mamá.Hello, I just wanted to say that I love you, dad and mom.
- Javier¡Qué lindo, Elena! Nosotros también te queremos mucho.How sweet, Elena! We love you very much too.
- ElenaGracias, pronto iré a visitarlos.Thank you, I will visit you soon.
- JavierAquí te esperamos, hija.We are waiting for you here, daughter.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries los, mamá, papá, y, CC BY-SA 4.0.
