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There are many ways to express passion and affection in Spanish culture and language. But how do you say “I love you” in Spanish?
Love in Spanish: Amor
It’s no secret that English tends to overuse the word “love”. As an example, we love this show, and we love that book. We love our parents, our children, and our spouses. We love our friends and we love our jobs.
The situation is different for love in Spanish. If you are looking for more ways to say love in different languages, you have many options for expressing your affection! The fact that Spanish has this feature is one of the things I like about it that English does not. By using different expressions, you can express your like, love, or even enchantment in Spanish.
Te quiero/Te amo
The Spanish language has two phrases that mean “I love you,” depending on how you look at it. You tell your loved one that you love them in an informal way (its other meaning is ‘I want you’), whereas I love you is a more grand declaration. The phrases are both ideal for long-term relationships.
Me caes bien
If you like someone, then you can say Me caes bien, or ‘I like you’ in a friendly way without being overbearing. It’s a great way to test the waters and determine if they like you as well before diving into more romantic language.
Eres el amor de mi vida
If you’re truly in love, you should only use the phrase ‘you’re the love of my life’ before proposing or on your wedding day. I wouldn’t recommend it for a first date.
Eres mi media naranja
As the phrase literally means, ‘you’re my half orange’, it’s equivalent to ‘my other half’ or ‘my soul mate’ in English and a lovely way to introduce someone you love.
Te quiero con todo mi corazón
A long-term, serious relationship should be the only place to say, ‘I love you with all my heart’ on Valentine’s Day. You don’t want to release such a deep declaration of love too soon.
Te ves hermosa/hermoso esta noche
In the early stages of a relationship, compliments such as ‘You look beautiful or handsome tonight’ are appropriate. Your partner will understand that you are into them and you don’t have any creepy connotations.
Arslan Hussain, founder of The Different Languages, is an experienced translator passionate about languages and cultures. Through his website, he shares his knowledge and love for different languages, making learning accessible and enjoyable.