Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| te quiero | /te ˈkjeɾo/ |
| te amo | /te ˈamo/ |
These phrases are used to affirm romantic or affectionate feelings. You can say Te quiero mucho to mean 'I love you', or use the more intense and passionate Te amo. For an exaggerated way to say 'I adore you', you can use Te adoro. To say 'I love you a ton', you can use Te quiero un montón.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase te quiero literally translates to 'I want you', though in context it is used to mean 'I love you'.
Which one should you use?
The two forms differ in intensity and relationship type. te quiero is used for friends, family or the early stages of a romantic relationship. In contrast, te amo is used for deep, intense or romantic love.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, the phrase te amo un montón is a popular way to say 'I love you a ton'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form te amo uses the singular te to address one person. If you are addressing a group of people in Latin America, you would use los amo to say 'I love you' (plural).
How do you pronounce it?
/te ˈkjeɾo/
Did you know?
- Spanish has a specific word, querencia, derived from the same root as te quiero. It describes the place where one feels safe and at home, linking the feeling of love to a physical sense of belonging.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, saying te amo too early in a relationship is seen as an intense commitment or even a red flag. Many couples stay in the te quiero phase for months or years before graduating to te amo.
- The word amo in te amo shares its same root as the English word 'amorous', which relates to being in love or showing sexual desire.
Examples in context
- Sé que te amo.I know I love you.This sentence shows how to use te amo to express certain knowledge of love.Tatoeba #2412405 by marcelostockle, translation #2375989 by CK
- Te amo, tesoro mío.I love you, sweetheart.This sentence uses te amo alongside 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 demonstrates using te amo to express loving someone exactly as they are.Tatoeba #998944 by hayastan, translation #386518 by Dorenda
- ¡Abuela, te quiero mucho! Eres la mejor.Grandma, I love you very much! You're the best.
- Papá, te amo con todo mi corazón. Eres mi héroe.Dad, I love you with all my heart. You're my hero.
- ¡Hermanita, te quiero un montón! Eres mi mejor amiga.Little sister, I love you a ton! You're my best friend.
- Hijo, ¡te adoro! Me haces tan feliz.Son, I adore you! You make me so happy.
- 132 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are sitting on a park bench during a sunset.
- MateoTe quiero mucho, Elena.I love you very much, Elena.
- ElenaY yo te quiero a ti, Mateo.And I love you, Mateo.
- MateoEres la persona más especial.You are the most special person.
- ElenaGracias por decirme eso.Thank you for telling me that.
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.
