Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| te amo | /te ˈamo/ |
| te quiero | /te ˈkjeɾo/ |
These phrases are used to affirm romantic or deep emotional feelings.
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" to friends and family. The verb amar used in te amo is the specific verb for deep, romantic or spiritual love.
Which one should you use?
te quiero is used for friends, family and in the early stages of romantic relationships, whereas te amo is more intense and deeply romantic. In contrast, te amo is reserved for serious romantic partners or very deep, profound expressions of love.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you can use Te aprecio mucho to mean "I appreciate you a lot." In Mexico, you can say Eres un/a buen/a compa to mean "You're a good friend."
How does it change in a sentence?
In both forms, the object pronoun te (you) comes before the conjugated verb (quiero or amo).
How do you pronounce it?
/te ˈamo/
When do people say it?
When expressing affection to someone you do not have romantic feelings for, you might use the phrase Te quiero mucho, pero solo como amigo/amiga ("I love you a lot, but only as a friend") or Te quiero un montón, pero solo como amiga/amigo ("I love you a ton, but only as a friend").
Did you know?
- Using te amo in a casual setting in some Latin American countries can be seen as overly dramatic or like a line from a 'telenovela' soap opera.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, te amo is considered so powerful that it is rarely said during the first few months of dating, as it implies a level of commitment similar to a proposal.
- In some regions, te quiero is used more frequently with pets than te amo, as the latter is often reserved strictly for humans.
Examples in context
- Sé que te amo.I know I love you.This sentence shows the use of te amo in a declarative statement.Tatoeba #2412405 by marcelostockle, translation #2375989 by CK
- Te amo, tesoro mío.I love you, sweetheart.This sentence shows how to use 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 shows how to use te amo to express unconditional love.Tatoeba #998944 by hayastan, translation #386518 by Dorenda
- 132 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and María are saying goodbye for the evening.
- MateoBuenas noches, María. Te amo.Good night, María. I love you.
- MaríaYo también te amo, Mateo.I love you too, Mateo.
- MateoQue descanses, mi vida.Rest well, my love.
- MaríaIgualmente, nos vemos mañana.You too, see you tomorrow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “I love you” translations and entries te amo, te quiero, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
