te amo
/te ˈamo/
In Spanish, 'I love you' is expressed as te amo. Wiktionary also lists te quiero.
Meaning: affirmation of romantic feeling (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| te amo | /te ˈamo/ |
| te quiero | /te ˈkjeɾo/ |
These phrases are used to affirm romantic feelings or affection. te amo is the most direct and passionate way to express love and is generally reserved for romantic relationships. te quiero is used to express affection towards friends, family or during the earlier stages of a romantic relationship. Other affectionate expressions include te adoro to express deep adoration and cariño, which means darling.
Which one should you use?
While both express love, te amo is used for deep, intense or romantic love, whereas te quiero is more affectionate and casual, suitable for friends and family.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, it is common to say Te quiero un montón to mean 'I love you a lot' or 'I love you a ton'.
How do you pronounce it?
/te ˈamo/
Did you know?
- In some Latin American countries, a person might use 'te amo' toward their children or parents to express a profound, sacred bond, whereas in other regions it remains strictly for romantic partners.
- The word amo shares its root with the English word 'amorous', linking the Spanish expression of love to the concept of being 'full of love' or 'lustful'.
- The word te is a direct descendant of the Latin tē, meaning the way you say 'you' in 'te amo' has remained virtually unchanged for thousands of years.
Examples in context
- Sé que te amo.I know I love you.This sentence uses te amo to show 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 alongside the term of endearment 'tesoro mío'.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 loving someone exactly as they are.Tatoeba #998944 by hayastan, translation #386518 by Dorenda
- Querida abuela, te quiero con todo mi corazón.Dear grandmother, I love you with all my heart.
- Mi amor, te amo más de lo que las palabras pueden expresar.My love, I love you more than words can express.
- Amiga, te adoro y siempre estaré aquí para ti.Friend, I adore you and will always be here for you.
- Te quiero un montón, eres mi vida.I love you a lot, you are my life.
- 132 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are having a quiet dinner at home.
- JavierLucía, te amo mucho.Lucía, I love you very much.
- LucíaY yo te amo a ti, Javier.And I love you, Javier.
- JavierEres lo mejor de mi vida.You are the best thing in my life.
- LucíaSiempre estaré a tu lado.I will always be by your side.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “I love you” translations and entries te amo, te quiero, 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.
