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How to say “I love you” in Spanish

Two translations, and the difference matters more in Spanish than the textbooks admit.

Quick answer

Te quiero

the everyday version

Te amo

the alternative — see below for when

Which one to use

Te quiero is the everyday one: partners, family, close friends. Te amo is heavier — romantic, serious, the register of songs and weddings. In Spain, te amo between a couple sounds intense; in Mexico it is more ordinary.

All the versions

Te quiero.I love you. — the everyday version.
Te quiero mucho.I love you a lot.
Te amo.I love you. — deeper, more romantic.
Te adoro.I adore you.
Os quiero.I love you all.

Where you are matters

Spain: te quiero for almost everything. Mexico and much of Latin America: te amo is used more freely between partners.

Check yourself

You are telling a close friend you love them. You say:

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