What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the pronoun te (you), the verb amamos (we love) and the noun vovó (grandma).
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between the terms used for grandmother: vovó is a warm, colloquial term used within families, whereas avó is the formal term for grandmother. Additionally, while you can say nós te amamos, vovó, the subject pronoun nós (we) is often omitted in natural speech because the verb ending -amos already indicates that the subject is first-person plural.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, it is common to use the word vovó for "grandma". In European Portuguese, the term Avó is typically used for "grandma".
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb amar is conjugated in the first-person plural present tense as amamos to indicate a continuous state of affection. The pronoun te is used to represent "you" in an informal or intimate context, which is standard when addressing a family member like a grandmother.
Did you know?
- While amamos is the direct translation for 'we love', Brazilians may use the verb querer (to want) in the phrase a gente te quer bem to express a gentle, caring affection.
- In many Portuguese-speaking families, the term vovó can be used to address a great-grandmother or even a grandmother-in-law to prioritize an emotional bond over biological connection.
- The sweet, affectionate sound of vovó is achieved through reduplication, a linguistic habit where repeating a syllable transforms a standard word into a term of endearment.
Examples in context
- Nós amamos a senhora, Vovó.We love you, Grandma.
- Nós te amamos, Vovó!We love you, Grandma!
- Vovó, a gente te ama demais!Grandma, we love you so much!
- Saiba que te amamos, vovó.Know that we love you, grandma.
Example conversation
Two grandchildren giving a gift to their grandmother.
- JulianaVovó, este presente é para você.Grandma, this gift is for you.
- LucasQue lindo! Muito obrigado, meus netos.How beautiful! Thank you very much, my grandchildren.
- JulianaTe amamos, vovó!We love you, grandma!
- LucasEu também amo vocês.I love you too.
