El amor (love) is one of the most common Spanish words, but its depth of meaning is anything but ordinary. In the arts of every culture, you’ll find expressions of love that can transcend language itself. But when it’s time to confess your undying love or keep someone in the “friend zone,” your words matter!
With Rosetta Stone, you can learn how to say “I love you” in Spanish to friends, family, and romantic partners. We’ll show you the difference between te amo and te quiero (two popular translations of “I love you”) and other ways to express your feelings in Spanish.
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Should I use te amo or te quiero to say ‘I love you’ in Spanish?
Both te amo and te quiero express “I love you,” but are appropriate in different relationships or to different degrees. You can avoid an awkward exchange by learning the difference.
Te quiero is literally translated “I want you,” but is understood as “I love you,” expressing strong affection. You can say it to close friends, family members, and romantic partners.
Te amo is a serious expression of committed love, and as such, is usually reserved for the closest of romantic relationships, such as the love between a husband and wife or serious partners.
If you’re wondering whether to tell your romantic interest te quiero or te amo, you’ll want to stick with the former until you’re certain that the more intense expression is appropriate. Your loved one may say it first, so to say “I love you, too” in Spanish, put también (too) before the expression you chose.
- Te quiero. = I love you.
- Yo también te quiero. = I love you, too.
- Te amo. = I love you.
- Yo también te amo. = I love you, too.
How to say ‘I love you’ in Spanish in other ways
You don’t have to be in a committed relationship to wonder, “how do you say ‘I love you’ in Spanish?” For every layer of your personal relationships, there’s an expression that just feels right. To recognize the nuance beyond these translations, you’ll want to see these expressions in authentic contexts, like in Rosetta Stone’s Dynamic Immersion method. Then you’ll be prepared for real life where you’ll also pay close attention to body language and other non-verbal communication.
Me caes bien (I like you)
This is a platonic way to tell someone you like them. It doesn’t come with a romantic expectation, so you can safely use this expression with friends, new acquaintances, or even to create a little distance with someone who has used te quiero or a stronger expression of their feelings.
To use this expression formally, you would use the formal usted form, me cae bien. Most expressions of love use the informal tú forms, since you’re close enough with them to say “I love you” in Spanish in the first place.
Te aprecio (I appreciate you)
Use this expression to show someone that you hold them in high regard, or that you’re grateful to have them in your life. It doesn’t necessarily mean anything romantic.
Eres mi mejor amigo/amiga (you’re my best friend)
Here’s a wonderful phrase to tell a best friend or to clarify your feelings.
- Te quiero. = I love you.
- Yo también te quiero. Eres mi mejor amigo. = I love you too. You’re my best friend.
- ¿Así que solo somos amigos? = So we’re just friends?
Me gustas (I like you, romantically)
This way of using the Spanish verb gustar crosses beyond the zona de amigos (friend zone) to let someone know that you like them romantically. It could be a way of testing the relationship waters, but depending on your tone and how the other person interprets it, this expression could have sexual overtones.
Estoy enamorado/a de ti (I’m in love with you)
There’s no doubt of your intentions with this expression. Estar enamorado de or Estar enamorada de means “to be in love with.” The “o” ending is correct if the person who is in love is a man or boy, and the “a” ending is if the person who is in love is a woman or girl.
- Ella está enamorada de su amigo. = She is in love with her friend.
- Él está enamorado de otra persona. = He is in love with another person.
Te quiero mucho (I love you a lot)
To intensify the expression te quiero, or to layer on just a bit more affection, even between friends, you can use te quiero mucho. Remember, tone of voice and non-verbal communication make a difference, too, so this could be used between lovers, friends, or family.
It’s even common to text TQM as an abbreviation for te quiero mucho.
Te quiero tanto (I love you so much)
Add the adverb tanto (so much) to add some emphasis to your declaration of love in Spanish. The single addition of tanto will make your loved one feel the depth of your feelings.
Te amo con todo mi corazón (with all my heart)
“I love you with all of my heart” in Spanish is te amo con todo mi corazón. A similar idiom, te amo con toda mi alma (I love you with all of my soul) works as well. Be aware that Spanish gender rules indicate that it’s todo when you’re referring to the masculine word, corazón (heart), but toda when using the feminine word alma (soul).
Los quiero/Las quiero/Os quiero (I love you all)
If you’re telling more than one person “I love you” in Spanish, such as when departing a group event or talking to both of your siblings at the same time, you could say los quiero. (I love you all). If you’re saying it to a group of only women or girls, you’d use the feminine las quiero.
If you’re in Spain, tell a group of friends os quiero (I love you all). This comes from the Peninsular Spanish vosotros form which is only used in Spain.
Te adoro (I adore you)
Meaning “I adore you,” this expression might rank in between the expressions of te quiero and te amo in terms of intensity.
Te deseo (I want you/I desire you)
Te deseo usually expresses physical desire or sexual feelings. You’ll see the same words on holiday greetings or in celebrations, but always with something following it to explain the desire or wish.
- Te deseo un feliz cumpleaños = I wish you a happy birthday
- Te deseo la felicidad = I wish you happiness
but if you say it on its own, te deseo is literally “I desire you.”
>>Learn to say a heartfelt “I love you” in 25 languages
Other romantic expressions for expressing love in Spanish
Spanish is full of beautiful words to express your love. Some of these poetic phrases translate similarly in English, while others are distinctively Spanish.
Mi media naranja
If you’re searching for your “better half,” or the person who completes you, look for your media naranja. Literally translated, “half orange,” it refers to the person you’re meant to be with. They make you complete and whole, just like how two halves of an orange fit together to make a perfect sphere.
Mi alma gemela
A similar term, mi alma gemela, means “my twin soul.” It refers to a “soul mate” or someone who really understands you through and through.
El amor de mi vida
When you’ve found the perfect someone, you can call them el amor de mi vida (the love of my life). The gender of the person doesn’t matter. The word el amor is a masculine noun and does not vary.
Besos y abrazos
Besos (kisses) and abrazos (hugs) are an affectionate way to sign off an email, text, or phone call. You can also call them besitos (little kisses). The diminutive -ito makes the word sound cuter and more affectionate.
Es un “crush”/enamoramiento. (It’s a crush)
The English word “crush” is used colloquially in Spanish slang. El enamoramiento (infatuation) are feelings of romantic love and attraction. People might consider “just a crush” not as serious or trustworthy as deeper expressions of love.
Fue amor a primera vista. (It was love at first sight.)
Strong feelings that happen right away or very early in the relationship might be called amor a primera vista, or more colloquially, un flechazo (an arrow shot), like getting shot with una flecha de Cupido (Cupid’s arrow).
>>Hear more love stories within some of the best Spanish songs for learners
Terms of endearment in Spanish
Terms of endearment like mi vida (my life) are common among friends, family, and romantic partners. When you’re talking to el amor de tu vida, show them a little extra affection by using one of these common terms of endearment. Several of them come from common Spanish nouns, so they don’t change according to gender. The adjectives will follow gender agreement rules.
| Spanish | English Meaning |
| amor | love |
| bonito/bonita | lovely/beautiful |
| cariño | honey/darling/dear |
| cielo | sky/heaven |
| corazón | heart |
| guapo/guapa | attractive/good-looking |
| mijo/mija | contraction of mi hijo/mi hija (my son/my daughter) |
| nene/nena | baby/darling |
| precioso/preciosa | beautiful/precious |
| querido/querida | dear/loved |
| tesoro | treasure |
| vida | life |
Frequently asked questions about saying “I love you” in Spanish
In any language, defining relationships requires a lot more communication than a few simple phrases. Cultural practices and perspectives surrounding love and friendship vary, so let the answers to these questions help guide the way.
What’s the difference between te quiero and te amo?
As a general rule, you’ll use te amo when you’re sure of a committed relationship and te quiero for anything more casual.
Does mi amor change if it’s a woman?
No, because mi amor (my love) is derived from a noun. Nouns don’t vary with gender. You’d change adjectives like guapo/guapa (good-looking).
Is it common to say “I love you” to your friends in Spanish?
You’ll find a wide variety of cultural practices surrounding expressions of affection in Spanish-speaking countries. Once you’ve understood basic expressions, take your cues from trusted native speakers like one of our Rosetta Stone tutors about the nuances of the most common expressions in their region.
Does Mexico or other Spanish-speaking countries celebrate Valentine’s Day?
While it’s not on the list of official Mexican holidays, many countries around the world celebrate El Día de San Valentín (Valentine’s Day) on el 14 de febrero (February 14) but customs vary. Regardless, you can use any of the expressions of love in Spanish you’ve learned here!
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