te amo
romantic, Costa Rica
In Costa Rica "I love you" is te amo for deep romantic love. Te quiero is gentler and is used with partners, family and close friends. It is also called te quiero mucho.
Meaning: expression of love or deep affection (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| te amo | romantic, Costa Rica |
| te quiero | warm |
| te quiero mucho | warm |
Te amo is serious and is kept for a partner or very close family. Te quiero mucho is a safe warm choice for friends, children and parents.
Which one should you use?
Costa Ricans use usted a lot, but in love and with children the informal te is used: te quiero. Using le quiero would sound distant.
Did you know?
- Te amo is traditionally said less often than te quiero in everyday life, because it carries more weight.
Examples in context
- Te amo con todo mi corazón.I love you with all my heart.
- Te quiero mucho, mamá.I love you very much, Mom.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Valeria talk at the end of a phone call.
- GabrielYa me tengo que ir. Te quiero mucho.I have to go now. I love you very much.
- ValeriaYo también te quiero.I love you too.
- GabrielTe amo. Hablamos mañana.I love you. We talk tomorrow.
