Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| amo-te | /ˈɐ̃.mu.t͡ʃi/ (Brazil) /ˈɐ.mu.tɨ/ (Portugal) |
|
| (eu) te amo | ||
| (eu) amo você | Brazil |
This phrase is used to express an affirmation of romantic feeling. While amo-te is a standard form, (eu) te amo is the most common way to say "I love you" in Portuguese. Other related expressions include Eu te adoro for "I adore you", Gosto muito de você for "I really like you" and Amo-te muito to emphasize a strong affectionate feeling.
Which one should you use?
The form amo-te is the standard way to say "I love you" in European Portuguese, where the object pronoun te is typically attached to the end of the verb. In contrast, Brazilian Portuguese typically places the object pronoun before the verb, resulting in the form (eu) te amo.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, the phrase Amo-te com todo o meu coração is used to mean "I love you with all my heart". In Brazil, the form (eu) te amo is the most common version, while (eu) amo você is also common and often used in more direct or slightly more formal contexts than te amo. Additionally, the phrase Te amo demais is used in Brazil to mean "I love you too much".
How does it change in a sentence?
The pronoun eu (I) is often omitted in all forms of this phrase because the verb conjugation amo already indicates the first person singular.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of amo-te is /ˈɐ̃.mu.tʃi/. It has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
When do people say it?
To express affection, you might use endearing nicknames such as meu amor (my love), querido/a (darling) or docinho (sweetie).
Did you know?
- The word você used in amo você actually comes from a much more formal way of addressing someone: vossa mercee, which literally means 'your mercy'.
- While amo-te is for romantic love, Portuguese speakers often use the verb gostar (to like) for deep affection toward friends and family to avoid the intensity of amar.
- In many Brazilian regions, você is used as the subject, but te is still used as the object in te amo, mixing two different pronoun systems in one short phrase.
Examples in context
- Amo-te de todo o coração.I love you with all my heart.This example shows how to express loving someone with all your heart using amo-te.Tatoeba #7101021 by iart61, translation #68788 by CK
- Amo-te mais que ontem e menos que amanhã.I love you more than yesterday and less than tomorrow.This sentence uses amo-te to compare the depth of love over time.Tatoeba #2614247 by alexmarcelo, translation #2963419 by marcelostockle
- Amo-te.I love you.This is a simple way to say "I love you" using amo-te.Tatoeba #1382784 by tulio, translation #1434 by awael58
- Eu te amo, meu amor.I love you, my love
- Amo-te demais, docinho.I love you too much, sweetie
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Camila are saying goodbye before work.
- GabrielTenho de ir agora, Camila.I have to go now, Camila.
- CamilaEu também. Amo-te muito!Me too. I love you very much!
- GabrielEu também amo-te, querida.I love you too, dear.
- CamilaAté logo, Gabriel.See you later, Gabriel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “i love you” translations and entries amo-te, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries amo, te, você, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
