How to Say I Love You in Spanish
Updated June 28, 2026
There are several ways to say I love you in Spanish, and the one you choose signals how strong the feeling is. Te quiero is warm and common; te amo is deep and serious. Here are the phrases you will hear in Spanish romance shows, with when to use each.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| te quiero | I love youaffectionate; for family, friends, partners |
| te amo | I love youdeeper and more serious than te quiero |
| me gustas | I like youearly-stage, romantic interest |
| te adoro | I adore you |
| mi amor | my loveliterally: my love |
| cariño | sweetheart, darling |
| me encantas | I'm crazy about youliterally: you enchant me |
| estoy enamorado de ti | I'm in love with youenamorada if you are female |
Want these to stick? Hear them in real context: LingoBinge surfaces words like these while you watch Spanish shows on Netflix, and saves them for spaced review.
Hear them in: Cable Girls, Who Killed Sara?.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between te quiero and te amo?
- Te quiero is the everyday I love you, used with family, close friends, and partners. Te amo is deeper and more serious, usually reserved for a romantic partner. Both are common in Spanish shows.
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