Querer vs Amo

Question

Amoi means "love". I believe that this word applies to personal feelings of passion or endearment for another person. I don't see any equivocation on this definition.

Querer means "want" , but I have seen instances in which it is interpreted as "love" as in personal feelings of passion or endearment.. Was that just slang/sloppy usage or can Querer mean "love"?

Welcome to the Q&A forum. :) - rac1, Oct 20, 2015

Answer 1

This kind of things used to be difficult when you study a foreign language: different words in your language that have the same word for both in a foreign language. This is a good case.

Querer (Amar) is to love

Querer is to want

In Spain, the verb querer is used to express both things.

Quiero ir al cine -> I want to go cinema

Quiero mucho a mi novia -> I love my girlfriend so much

Probably the difference between querer and amar that Daniela said in her post, are true, but in Spain it is not common to say the word amar. Most of us say te quiero, never te amo. It sounds "oldie".

So as an oldie can I say "te amo" ? - ray76, Oct 20, 2015

You're not so oldie, mi amor. Besides, Gringo says that my answer is proper in Mexico. And As California is a part of Mexico I use it. "Mexifornia" es donde vivo. jejejejej. - Daniela2041, Oct 20, 2015

Just joking on the "Mexifornia" bit. :) - Daniela2041, Oct 20, 2015

Answer 2

Amor is the noun, amar is the verb. The usage of it (amar) vs. querer can vary by region. Te quiero is a more informal way of expressing love. Te amo goes much deeper. "Quiero a mi novio". I love my boyfriend. "Amo mucho a mi familia." I love my family very much. Do you see the difference?

**The graphic has this feeling. "I also LOVE you ???? when I say I love you??"*

Daniela - That was a great, very educational answer. Muchas Gracias - Pedro de MX - peteneri, Oct 20, 2015

De nada, my pleasure. - Daniela2041, Oct 20, 2015

Ditto ! - ray76, Oct 20, 2015

And right on point for Mexico. - gringojrf, Oct 20, 2015

So how come I only get two votes? - Daniela2041, Oct 20, 2015

Not, your fault, amigos. I think that Pedro de MX didn't vote because he's new and has not as yet learned our ways. - Daniela2041, Oct 20, 2015

From Pedro - I didn't vote because I don't have enough reputation points. I have only 30 and I think it takes 100 to vote. - peteneri, Oct 20, 2015