te amo
/te ˈamo/
In Spanish, 'I love you' is te amo. Wiktionary also lists te quiero.
Meaning: affirmation of romantic feeling (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| te amo | /te ˈamo/ |
| te quiero | /te ˈkjeɾo/ |
These phrases are used to express affection, but the appropriate choice depends on the intensity of your feelings and the type of relationship you have. te quiero is a popular way to express friendly love among friends and family, and it can also be used during the early stages of a romantic relationship. You can intensify this affection by saying te quiero mucho to mean 'I love you very much' without the heavy weight of the more serious te amo.
Which one should you use?
The two forms differ significantly in emotional depth. te quiero is used for friends, family or a burgeoning romance. In contrast, te amo is a much deeper and more serious expression used for intense romantic love or profound devotion.
How do you pronounce it?
/te ˈamo/
Did you know?
- Spanish has a specific word querencia derived from the same root as te quiero. It describes a place where one feels safe, loved and at home.
- The verb querer in te quiero literally means 'to want', which might make the phrase sound like a demand for possession to a literal-minded outsider.
- The word amo is also a noun in Spanish, but it refers to a 'master' or 'owner', adding a layer of linguistic history regarding the direction of affection and authority.
Examples in context
- Sé que te amo.I know I love you.This sentence uses te amo to show knowledge of one's love.Tatoeba #2412405 by marcelostockle, translation #2375989 by CK
- Te amo, tesoro mío.I love you, sweetheart.This sentence uses te amo to address a sweetheart.Tatoeba #1277931 by marcelostockle, translation #139171 by fengrim
- Te amo tal como sos.I love you just as you are.This sentence uses te amo to express love for a person's true self.Tatoeba #998944 by hayastan, translation #386518 by Dorenda
- Hola María, te quiero mucho. Eres una gran amiga.Hello María, I love you a lot. You're a great friend.
- Me alegro de verte, le tengo mucho cariño a tu familia.I'm glad to see you, I have a lot of affection for your family.
- 132 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are having a romantic dinner.
- DanielEres la mujer de mi vida.You are the woman of my life.
- Lucía¡Qué lindo! Yo también te amo.How sweet! I love you too.
- DanielTe amo con todo mi corazón.I love you with all my heart.
- LucíaY yo te amo a ti, Daniel.And I love you, Daniel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “I love you” translations and entries te amo, te quiero, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
