Differences, Amor

Question

I have read and seen where for one to say, "I love you, " they say both, "Te amo," and "Te quiero,". Is there any given rule for circumstances as far as which to use?

Answer 1

I believe these links can explain it better than I can.

Te amo vs Te quiero

Love you, miss you

Te quiero

From wordreference

Answer 2

In Spanish, te amo is used for romantic/passionate love - between lovers.

Te quiero can be used the same way, but this is also used for family members and friends where te amo is not. Te quiero can also mean a strong like of someone.

Thanks Julian. :) You have a better way with words and explanations than I do. :) - rac1, Sep 21, 2013

Answer 3

Welcome to the forum.

Te amo/ te amor - I love you (passionate - the kind of love you'll have towards your husband/lover/ your kids, mom and dad, etc.

Te Quiero - Could mean I love you but it's the kind of love you'll have toward your friends, etc. It also mean I want you.

Answer 4

So just for clarification, "te amo," is passionate, as in a deep-seated passion whereas "Te quiero," is passionate in a surperficial/lust context-because I've never read a clear demarcation between the two verbs? I've always used the former when referring to the heart, and the later when referring desire.