com amor
/kõ aˈmoʁ/word by word
In Portuguese, "with love" is translated as com amor.
The phrase com amor translates literally to "with love." While it can be used to express affection, it is actually less common as a way to close a letter or card in Portuguese than the English phrase is in English. In Portuguese correspondence, people more frequently use other expressions to show similar affection.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the preposition com (with) and the noun amor (love).
Which one should you use?
While com amor is a direct translation, com carinho (with affection/fondness) often sounds more natural when signing off a card or letter to someone you are fond of without necessarily being in a romantic relationship with them.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, the expression com amor no coração means "with love in the heart." In Portugal, you may encounter the phrases com amor eterno (with eternal love) and com todo o meu amor (with all my love).
How do you pronounce it?
/kõ aˈmoʁ/
When do people say it?
When writing to others, Portuguese speakers often prefer using com carinho or beijos (kisses) to express affection rather than the literal com amor.
Did you know?
- While com amor is the direct translation for 'with love', Portuguese speakers often sign off letters with beijos, meaning 'kisses', even in non-romantic contexts.
- The Portuguese word amor is a direct descendant of the Latin word amōrem, which is also the root of the English word 'amorous'.
- While English speakers often use 'with love' in almost any warm context, using com amor in Portuguese can sometimes carry a heavier, more intensely romantic or even dramatic weight than intended.
Examples in context
- Jamais confunda pena com amor.Never confuse pity with love.This sentence uses com amor to show a contrast between pity and love.Tatoeba #13701726 by carlosalberto, translation #280347 by CK
- Não devemos fazer piadas com amor.We mustn't joke around with love.This sentence shows the use of com amor in the context of joking.Tatoeba #6392527 by Ricardo14, translation #1336203 by Scott
- Fadil seduziu a Dania com amor e dinheiro.Fadil seduced Dania with love and money.This sentence shows how com amor can be used to describe the manner in which someone is seduced.Tatoeba #5862462 by Ricardo14, translation #5857138 by OsoHombre
- Oi Maria, estou te enviando essa mensagem com carinho para lembrar que você é especial.Hi Maria, I'm sending you this message with love to remind you that you are special.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel is giving a birthday card to Beatriz.
- GabrielFeliz aniversário, Beatriz! Espero que goste do cartão.Happy birthday, Beatriz! I hope you like the card.
- BeatrizObrigada, Gabriel! É lindo. Você assinou aqui embaixo.Thank you, Gabriel! It is beautiful. You signed here at the bottom.
- GabrielSim, escrevi apenas "com amor" no final.Yes, I just wrote "with love" at the end.
- BeatrizÉ muito romântico, eu adorei!It is very romantic, I loved it!
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (com, amor) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries amor, com, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
