Te quiero
everyday, family, partners
In Peru "I love you" is Te quiero for family, friends and partners, and Te amo for deep romantic love. Te quiero mucho adds warmth.
Meaning: declaration of love or affection (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| Te quiero | everyday, family, partners |
| Te amo | romantic, serious |
| Te quiero mucho | warm |
Te quiero is used freely with parents, grandparents and children. Te amo is saved for a spouse or a serious partner and can sound heavy elsewhere.
Which one should you use?
The verb querer also means "to want", which is why te quiero can sound lighter than te amo but is not cold.
Did you know?
- In Spanish querer means both "to want" and "to love", so the meaning comes from context.
Examples in context
- Te quiero, mamá.I love you, mom.
- Te amo con todo mi corazón.I love you with all my heart.
- Te quiero mucho, amiga.I love you a lot, my friend.
Example conversation
Daniel calls his grandmother Abuela Nelly from Lima before she goes to bed.
- DanielBuenas noches, abuelita. Te quiero mucho.Good night, grandma. I love you very much.
- NellyYo también te quiero, hijito.I love you too, dear.
- DanielHasta mañana.Until tomorrow.
