What does it mean word for word?
The word quiérete is a combination of the imperative verb quiere (love/want) and the reflexive pronoun te (yourself).
Which one should you use?
Quiérete is the informal imperative used with friends or peers. An alternative is ámate, which uses the verb amar (to love deeply/romantically) instead of querer (to love/want). While quiérete is common, ámese can be used as a more formal or profound way to express the same sentiment using the verb amar.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, Quiérete a ti mismo/a may be changed to Quiérete vos mismo/a due to the use of vos.
How does it change in a sentence?
The accent is placed on the first syllable quie because the addition of the pronoun te to the imperative quiere shifts the stress of the word.
How do you pronounce it?
/kjeɾete/
Did you know?
- The verb querer is related to the Latin word quaerere, which means 'to seek' or 'to search for', suggesting that loving someone is like seeking them out.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, telling someone to quiérete can be a gentle way to tell them to stop being too self-sacrificing or modest to a fault.
- While quiérete is the standard for self-care, using the reflexive verb quererse in a negative sense, such as quererse demasiado, can imply a trait of arrogance or narcissism rather than healthy self-esteem.
Examples in context
- Ámate a ti misma y valora tus logrosLove yourself and value your accomplishments
- Quiérete como eres, sin importar lo que digan los demásLove yourself as you are, regardless of what others say
- Ámate mucho y nunca olvides tu propio valorLove yourself a lot and never forget your own worth
- Quiérete más y deja de criticarte.Love yourself more and stop criticizing yourself.
- Primero quiérete a ti misma para ser feliz.First love yourself to be happy.
Example conversation
Lucía is feeling down about her appearance and Mateo is comforting her.
- MateoNo seas tan dura contigo, Lucía.Don't be so hard on yourself, Lucía.
- LucíaEs que no me siento bien hoy.It's just that I don't feel good today.
- MateoQuiérete, que eres una mujer increíble.Love yourself, you are an amazing woman.
- LucíaGracias, Mateo, lo intentaré.Thanks, Mateo, I will try.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
