Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| te quiero | /te ˈkjeɾo/ |
| te amo | /te ˈamo/ |
These phrases are used to express an affirmation of romantic feeling.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase te quiero literally translates to 'I want you', though it is the standard way to say 'I love you' when expressing affection.
Which one should you use?
te quiero is a common way to express a wide range of affection, including feelings for friends, family and in early-stage romantic relationships. In contrast, te amo is a much stronger, more profound expression of love, typically reserved for serious romantic partners or very deep familial bonds.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you might hear Te quiero, cariño/cielo to mean 'I love you, darling/sweetheart'. In Mexico, the phrase Te adoro is used to say 'I adore you'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In both te quiero and te amo, the word te is the direct object pronoun for 'you' (informal), which is why it precedes the verb. To say 'I love him' or 'I love her', you replace the object pronoun te with lo (masculine) or la (feminine).
How do you pronounce it?
/te ˈkjeɾo/
Did you know?
- Spanish has a distinct word querencia, derived from the same root as te quiero, describing a place where one feels safe and at home.
- The verb in te amo is a close relative of the English word 'amatory', which relates to love or sexual desire. Both stem from the concept of intense affection.
- If you use te amo too early in a relationship, it might actually scare a partner away. Because it carries such immense weight and depth, it is often saved for long-term, profound connections.
Examples in context
- Sé que te amo.I know I love you.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase te amo.Tatoeba #2412405 by marcelostockle, translation #2375989 by CK
- Te amo, tesoro mío.I love you, sweetheart.Tatoeba #1277931 by marcelostockle, translation #139171 by fengrim
- Te amo tal como sos.I love you just as you are.Tatoeba #998944 by hayastan, translation #386518 by Dorenda
- Querido Juan, te amo más que nada en este mundo.Dear Juan, I love you more than anything in this world.
- Mi amado Carlos, te quiero con todo mi corazón y siempre estaré a tu lado.My beloved Carlos, I love you with all my heart, and I will always be by your side.
- Hola Jorge, te amo mucho, mi amor, y no puedo imaginar mi vida sin ti.Hi Jorge, I love you so much, my love, and I can't imagine my life without you.
- Mi vida, te quiero un montón y siempre serás lo más importante para mí.My love, I love you a lot, and you will always be the most important thing to me.
- Mi vida, te quiero mucho, cariño.My love, I love you so much, darling.
- Mi amor, te adoro con todo mi corazón.My love, I adore you with all my heart.
- 132 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is having a quiet dinner at home.
- MateoEres la mujer de mi vida.You are the woman of my life.
- Elena¡Qué lindo! Yo también te quiero.How sweet! I love you too.
- MateoTe quiero de verdad, Elena.I truly love you, Elena.
- ElenaY yo te quiero mucho, Mateo.And I love you very much, Mateo.
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.
