Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| te quiero | /te ˈkjeɾo/ |
| te amo | /te ˈamo/ |
Both phrases are used to affirm romantic or deep affection, but they carry different levels of intensity and are used in different social contexts.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, te quiero means "I want you", but it is the standard way to say "I love you" in a romantic or affectionate context.
Which one should you use?
te quiero is a common expression used for a wide range of affection, including friends, family and the early stages of a romantic relationship. In contrast, te amo is more intense and is reserved for deep, serious romantic love or very intense familial bonds.
Is it said differently in some regions?
When addressing more than one person, you should use os quiero or os amo in Spain, while in Latin America, you would use los quiero or los amo.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both te quiero and te amo use the informal singular object pronoun te.
How do you pronounce it?
/te ˈkjeɾo/
When do people say it?
te amo is the most direct way to express deep romantic feelings in Latin American Spanish.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Sé que te amo.I know I love you.This sentence shows how to use te amo to express knowledge of one's love.Tatoeba #2412405 by marcelostockle, translation #2375989 by CK
- Te amo, tesoro mío.I love you, sweetheart.This sentence demonstrates a romantic way to use te amo with a term of endearment.Tatoeba #1277931 by marcelostockle, translation #139171 by fengrim
- Te amo tal como sos.I love you just as you are.This sentence shows how to use te amo to express unconditional love.Tatoeba #998944 by hayastan, translation #386518 by Dorenda
- Te amo, manitoI love you, little brother
- Te amo, manitaI love you, little sister
- Te amo un montón, mi amorI love you a lot, my love
- 132 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is having a quiet moment at home.
- LucíaTe quiero mucho, Mateo.I love you very much, Mateo.
- MateoY yo te quiero a ti, Lucía.And I love you, Lucía.
- Lucía¿De verdad?Really?
- MateoSí, te quiero con todo mi corazón.Yes, I love you with all my heart.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “I love you” translations and entries te quiero, te amo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries amo, te, te amo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
