Te quiero
family, friends
For family and friends, "I love you" is Te quiero. It is warm and not romantic, while Te amo is saved for a partner. It is also called Te quiero mucho and Te adoro.
Meaning: affection for family and friends (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| Te quiero | family, friends |
| Te quiero mucho | warm |
| Te adoro | warm, affectionate |
Parents say Te quiero to children, friends say it to each other, and it ends many phone calls. Adding mucho makes it stronger.
Which one should you use?
Te amo sounds deep and romantic in most places. Using Te quiero keeps the feeling clearly affectionate.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain Te quiero can also be said between partners. In much of Latin America it is the safe choice for loved ones who are not romantic partners.
Did you know?
- The verb querer also means to want, which is why Te quiero can look like "I want you" to learners, but with a person it means affection.
Examples in context
- Te quiero mucho, mamá.I love you very much, Mom.
- Eres mi mejor amigo y te quiero.You are my best friend and I love you.
- Te quiero, abuela.I love you, Grandma.
Example conversation
Sofía says goodbye to her grandmother on the phone.
- SofíaAbuela, tengo que colgar.Grandma, I have to hang up.
- AbuelaEstá bien, mi niña. Cuídate.All right, my girl. Take care.
- SofíaTe quiero mucho.I love you very much.
