Last updated: February 13, 2024

Do you know how to say “I love you” in Spanish? 🫶 Let’s celebrate Valentine’s Day in Spanish!

While French may have the reputation of being the most romantic language in the world, Spanish can take the crown for being the most passionate one. If you’ve spent some time in Latin America, you most definitely know what we’re talking about! The Spanish culture and language are known for their fiery outlook and it’s no surprise that there are many ways of saying “I love you” in Spanish.

Whether you’re saying “I love you” to a friend, family member, or significant other, you’ll discover a rich language with a variety of ways to express affection.

How to say “I love you” in Spanish

Saying “I love you” in Spanish depends very much on the context, situation, and who you’re talking about (or to). Let’s start with the basics! The most popular Spanish phrases are Te quiero and Te amo. They both mean “I love you”, but the intended audience for each is different.

Two ways to say “I love you”:

1. Te quiero: This phrase is used to express affection and love. It is commonly used among family members, close friends, and romantic partners. It can be translated as “I love you” or “I care for you.” It is a versatile and widely used expression of love.

1. Te amo: This phrase carries a stronger and deeper emotional intensity than Te quiero. It is often reserved for romantic love and is akin to saying “I love you” in a more passionate and profound way. It can be translated as “I love you” or “I adore you.”

TIP: You can also add mucho or muchísimo at the end of the phrase to mean “I love you very much”, “I love you a lot”. For example, Mamá, me voy. ¡Te quiero much! (Mom, I’m leaving. I love you very much!) or Te amo mucho, mi querida. (I love you so much, my darling.)

Difference between Te quiero and Te amo

The choice of phrase depends on the context, the level of affection, and the relationship between the speaker and the person they are addressing. Te quiero is more commonly used among friends and family members, while Te amo (or Te adoro) tends to be used in romantic relationships. However, the specific usage and meaning may vary depending on individual preferences and cultural differences.

• Since te quiero has a lighter connotation of love and care, it’s better to use it with your friends, family (in general), a recent relationship, or a person you have feelings for.
• Te amo is more intimate and profound, and it’s more common to use it with your significant other/long-term partner and close family members.

Express your love with these Spanish phrases

Sometimes Te quiero or Te amo may seem too bland, so what other options do you have? As mentioned before, the Spanish language has a rich vocabulary when it comes to expressing love and affection. Maybe you’re a shy person, so a Significas mucho para mí (You mean so much to me) fits better with your personality. Or maybe you enjoy going the extra mile, and La vida estaría vacía sin ti (Life would be empty without you) is how you make your other half feel special.

Here are other ways you can say “I love you” in Spanish:

• Me caes bien or Me gustas: A lowkey way or play-it-safe approach to expressing your affection. Both mean “I like you”. (Learn more about how to say I like you in Spanish).

• Me encantas: It’s more romantic than me gustas and it means “I adore you” or “You enchant me”.

• Eres mi media naranja: This is a unique and sweet way of saying “You’re my other half” (or better half). The literal translation is “You’re my half-orange”.

• Eres mi alma gemela: “You are my soulmate”

• Eres el amor de mi vida: “You’re the love of my life”

• Eres mi todo: “You are my everything”

• Te adoro: “I adore you”

• Mi corazón es tuyo: “My heart is yours”

• Tienes todo mi corazón: “You have all my heart”

• Estoy enloquecido por ti: “I’m head over heels for you”

• Me estás volviendo loco or Me vuelves loco: “You’re driving me crazy”/”You drive me crazy” (but in a good way)

• Me has conquistado: “I’ve fallen for you”

• Te necesito: “I need you”

Spanish expressions with Te amo:

Sparkle a bit of variety with your Spanish I love you’s:

• Te amo demasiado: “I love you so much”

• Te amo más que nadie: “I love you the most”

• Te amo más que a nada: “I love you more than anything”

• Te amo hasta la luna y más allá: “I love you to the moon and back”

• Te amo con todo mi corazón: “I love you with all my heart”

• Te amo más que a la vida en sí: “I love you more than life itself”

… and Spanish sayings with Te quiero

• Te quiero como amigo: “I love you as a friend”

• Te quiero tal cual y como eres: “I like you just the way you are”

• Te quiero un huevo: Literal translation, “I love you an egg”. This is a casual way of telling someone you like them a lot (romantically or platonically).

Now you should consider yourself proficient in the language of love! If you want more Spanish lessons, sign up for the weekly newsletter. Gracias 💜