te quiero mucho
/te kjeɾo mut͡ʃo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I love you dearly" can be translated into Spanish as te quiero mucho.
Te quiero mucho is used to express a strong feeling of affection or love. It is an appropriate way to express deep affection toward family members, close friends or when you are in the early stages of a romantic relationship.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "I want you much", where the verb querer (to want/to love) expresses affection.
Which one should you use?
While te quiero mucho is a common way to say "I love you dearly" to friends or family, the phrase te amo is a much stronger, more intense form used almost exclusively in romantic contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the word mucho functions as an adverb to intensify the verb querer, similar to adding "dearly" or "very much" in English.
How do you pronounce it?
/te kjeɾo mutʃo/
Did you know?
- In certain regions, te quiero mucho can be used ironically between rivals or enemies to signal a tense, superficial friendliness.
- The root of mucho is believed to come from the Proto-Indo-European word for 'crumbled' or 'crumpled', suggesting a historical link between a large quantity of small pieces and the idea of 'many'.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, saying te quiero mucho can be a way to soften the intensity of a romantic confession without using the more permanent and heavy te amo.
Examples in context
- Mi amor, te amo profundamente. Eres lo más importante en mi vida.My love, I love you dearly. You are the most important thing in my life.
- Eres un ser especial en mi vida. Te quiero mucho.You are a special person in my life. I love you dearly.
- ¡Tú me vuelves loco/a! Te amo con locura.You drive me crazy! I love you dearly.
- Eres una persona increíble. Te quiero un montón.You are an amazing person. I love you dearly.
- Eres mi vida entera. Te amo con todo mi ser.You are my whole life. I love you dearly.
- Te quiero mucho, mi amor.I love you so much, my love.
- Eres especial y te quiero mucho.You are special and I love you dearly.
- Sabes que te quiero mucho.You know that I love you very much.
Example conversation
A couple is spending a quiet evening together at home.
- MateoGracias por todo lo que haces.Thank you for everything you do.
- ElenaNo hay de qué, Mateo.You're welcome, Mateo.
- MateoTe quiero mucho, Elena.I love you dearly, Elena.
- ElenaY yo a ti.And I love you too.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mucho, te, CC BY-SA 4.0.
