te quiero
/te ˈkjeɾo/
In Spanish, "I love you" can be expressed as te quiero or te amo.
Meaning: affirmation of romantic feeling (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| te quiero | /te ˈkjeɾo/ |
| te amo | /te ˈamo/ |
Both phrases are used to affirm romantic or deep feelings, but they are applied in different contexts based on the intensity of the affection.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, te quiero means "I want you", but when used to express affection, it is translated as "I love you".
Which one should you use?
te amo is used for intense, deep or romantic love. In contrast, te quiero is used for expressing affection toward friends, family or during the earlier stages of a romantic relationship.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the phrase Te quiero un chorro, papá is a common way to say "I love you a lot, dad". In Spain, the casual phrase Te quiero un montón, papá is used to mean the same thing.
How do you pronounce it?
/te ˈkjeɾo/
Did you know?
- Spanish has a distinct word querencia, derived from the same root as te quiero, which describes a place where one feels safe and at home.
- The word amo is also the Spanish word for 'master' or 'owner', such as the 'master of a house'.
- The verb amar used in te amo is the same verb used in Spanish to describe 'to love' in a religious or spiritual sense, such as 'loving God'.
Examples in context
- Sé que te amo.I know I love you.This sentence uses te amo to express knowledge of one's own love.Tatoeba #2412405 by marcelostockle, translation #2375989 by CK
- Te amo, tesoro mío.I love you, sweetheart.This sentence uses te amo to express affection toward a sweetheart.Tatoeba #1277931 by marcelostockle, translation #139171 by fengrim
- Te amo tal como sos.I love you just as you are.This sentence uses te amo to express love for someone exactly as they are.Tatoeba #998944 by hayastan, translation #386518 by Dorenda
- Te quiero mucho, papáI love you very much, dad
- Te amo, papáI love you, dad
- 132 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are having a quiet dinner at home.
- DanielLucía, te quiero mucho.Lucía, I love you very much.
- LucíaY yo a ti, Daniel.And I love you, Daniel.
- DanielEres la mujer de mi vida.You are the woman of my life.
- LucíaEres el mejor hombre del mundo.You are the best man in the world.
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.
