What does it mean word for word?
Literally, Los quiero, chicos means "I want you, guys". While quiero comes from the verb querer (to want or to desire), when used in the context of people, it is the standard way to express affection or to say "to love".
Which one should you use?
While Los quiero, chicos is a common way to express affection, you can use Los amo, chicos to convey a much deeper, more intense or romantic level of love. You can also use Los quiero mucho to say "I love you guys a lot", or Los amo to say "I adore you", which is an informal way to show a strong level of affection.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase is informal. For a slightly more colloquial or regional feel in many Latin American countries, you can replace chicos with muchachos to say Los quiero, muchachos.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the pronoun os is used instead of los to address a group of people informally, resulting in Os quiero mucho. In Argentina, it is customary to use Los quiero mucho, chicos to address a group informally. In Mexico, among friends, the informal expression Los quiero mucho, cabrones is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
You must match the gender of the group you are addressing. If the group consists entirely of females, the direct object pronoun changes from los to las and the noun changes from chicos to chicas, resulting in Las quiero, chicas.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use Te quiero, chicos when addressing a group. Because te is singular, it is grammatically incorrect in this context. You must use the plural los quiero to match the plural subject chicos.
Did you know?
- In Mexico, you can replace chicos with cabrones to say Los quiero mucho, cabrones among close friends. While cabrón is often a strong insult, in this specific context it acts as a term of endearment.
- If you address a mixed group of men and women, you must use the masculine Los quiero, chicos. In Spanish, the masculine plural acts as the default for any group containing at least one male.
- The word los in Los quiero, chicos is a descendant of the Latin word illōs, which means 'those' or 'those ones'.
Examples in context
- Los quiero, chicos, gracias por todo.I love you guys, thanks for everything.
- Son los mejores, los quiero, chicos.You are the best, I love you guys.
- ¡Los quiero, chicos! ¡Hasta la próxima!I love you guys! Until next time!
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are saying goodbye after a fun group dinner.
- AlejandroFue una noche increíble, los quiero, chicos.It was an incredible night, I love you guys.
- Elena¡Nosotros también te queremos, Alejandro!We love you too, Alejandro!
- AlejandroNos vemos pronto.See you soon.
- Elena¡Cuídate mucho!Take care!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries los, CC BY-SA 4.0.
