Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| te amo | /te ˈamo/ |
| te quiero | /te ˈkjeɾo/ |
These phrases are used to express romantic feelings and affection toward another person.
What does it mean word for word?
In te amo, te means "you" (as an object) and amo is the first-person singular form of the verb amar, which means "to love".
Which one should you use?
te amo is used for deep, intense or romantic love. In contrast, te quiero is used for more casual affection, such as with friends, family or during the early stages of a relationship.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, you can use eres mi vida to express love and affection. In Spain, you might use te quiero un montón or te quiero un mogollón as emphatic ways to say you love someone a lot or loads. In Argentina, you can express intense love by saying te amo a morir or by using te re quiero to say you really love someone.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you want to change the subject from "I" to "we", the verb changes to the first-person plural form amamos, making the phrase te amamos (we love you).
How do you pronounce it?
/te ˈamo/
When do people say it?
Among romantic partners, the informal expression Te adoro can be used to suggest profound admiration and devotion.
Did you know?
- The emphatic Spanish expression te quiero un mogollón uses a slang term mogollón that originally referred to a large, disorganized heap or crowd of people.
- While te quiero is often taught as 'i love you', its root verb querer also means 'to want'. In some contexts, this can make the phrase sound as if you 'want' the person rather than simply loving them.
- In some Latin American countries, the use of te amo is reserved for the most profound, lifelong commitments, and saying it too early in a relationship can be seen as an alarming intensity.
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
- Buenos días, señora. Le amo con todo mi corazón.Good morning, ma'am. I love you with all my heart.
- ¡Hola, mamá! Te quiero un montón. ¿Cómo estás?Hi, mom! I love you a lot. How are you?
- Eres mi mejor amigo. Te amo, hermano.You are my best friend. I love you, brother.
- ¡Hola cariño! Te adoro. Eres lo mejor que me ha pasado.Hello, sweetheart! I adore you. You are the best thing that has happened to me.
- 132 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is having a quiet dinner at home.
- SofíaTe amo, Javier.I love you, Javier.
- JavierY yo te amo, Sofía.And I love you, Sofía.
- SofíaEres el hombre de mi vida.You are the man of my life.
- JavierGracias por decirme eso.Thank you for telling me that.
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.
