Planet-Love.com Searchable Archives

I have been to LA (Mexico, Peru, Colombia) about 8 times and have asked this question to many chicas.  I have my own impressions but would like to hear from the group.  What are the rankings of the all the various types of relationships (amorcitos, novios, etc.) and the corresponding declarations ("te quiero" "te amo" etc.)?

thanks,
-Z

... in response to te quiero vs. te amo, posted by zed on Apr 3, 2005

but if you "ama" your dog, you are committing a crime in most states and countries as well.

... in response to You can "querer" your dog, posted by Malandro on Apr 4, 2005

you're probably thinking of mamar

... in response to You can "querer" your dog, posted by Malandro on Apr 4, 2005

Thats funny even if I'm not sure its correct.If it is its a good way  to explain the difference.

Pete

... in response to te quiero vs. te amo, posted by zed on Apr 3, 2005

My peruvian fiancee has found it very strange how I say "I love you" to family and even with to a very good friend.  She doesn't understand how we lump everyone together.  

She explains things this way:

Me caes bien: I like you
Me gusta esa chica: I like that girl (because she attracts me)
Te deseo: I desire you (physically)
Te quiero: I love you (used with friends and family)
Te amo: only with the one you romantically love

Deseo can also be used: Te deseo toda la suerte del mundo. Different context, of course.

... in response to Re: te quiero vs. te amo, posted by surfscum on Apr 4, 2005

"Deseo can also be used: Te deseo toda la suerte del mundo. Different context, of course."

That is the context in which "te deseo" has been used with me most of the time.  To wish me luck, happiness, or a nice trip, etc.

"Desear" as an expression of physical desire, in my experience, sometimes has been to express the desire to perform a specific act.  For example, "Deseo te bejar mucho."  "I want to kiss you a lot."

Clearly, Spanish and Portuguese use varies tremendously by region, country, social class, etc.  YMMV

... in response to Re: Re: te quiero vs. te amo, posted by Brazilophile on Apr 4, 2005

So, basically, desear is the spanish word for desire?  Thanks for the spanish lesson.

                         OkieMan

... in response to te quiero vs. te amo, posted by zed on Apr 3, 2005


I asked a Latina about the differences.

Te quiero = I want you
Te amo = I love you
Me gustas = I like you

... in response to Re: te quiero vs. te amo vs me gustas, posted by pablo on Apr 4, 2005

My wife says "te quiero" to everyone that she loves including me, her children and her family. However she only says "te amo" to me. I told her that in English it's all "I love you" and you say this to lovers, spouses and children. She said that in Spanish, there is a distinction. As Jediknight pointed out in his reply below to desire someone in the physical sense would more properly be "te deseo".

... in response to Re: te quiero vs. te amo vs me gustas, posted by pablo on Apr 4, 2005

[This message has been edited by jediknight]

good point on me gustas, you can say tu me gustas or just me gustas mucho to mean i like you or i like you alot. however, although the literal translation of querer is want, many close friends for example when saying goodbye to someone, will say te quiero mucho,which is i really like you or i love you as a friend. to a small degree te quiero can mean i want you physically, maybe under the right circumstances but to say i want you in a physical sense you would say te deseo.
JK

... in response to Re: Re: te quiero vs. te amo vs me gusta..., posted by jediknight on Apr 4, 2005


so in-between like and love, I guess you could say "te quieramo". ;-)

... in response to Re: Re: Re: te quiero vs. te amo vs me g..., posted by pablo on Apr 4, 2005

haha,oh no, not another category! i'm already confused! :O

... in response to te quiero vs. te amo, posted by zed on Apr 3, 2005

In my experience, the difference between "te quiero" versus "te amo" is one of context more than of degree.  

With me "te quiero" has been used for expressing physical desire while "te amo" has been used for expressing emotional desire.

... in response to Re: te quiero vs. te amo, posted by Brazilophile on Apr 3, 2005

Not the way my wife describes it and uses it. She never uses "te quiero" to express physical desire - that's "te deseo". "Te quiero" is a general expression of love while "te amo" is reserved for one's spouse or lover.

... in response to Re: te quiero vs. te amo, posted by Brazilophile on Apr 3, 2005

in colombia, physical desire is expressed with te deseo, te quiero is a strong i really like you or love but in a friendly way and te amo is i love you.
JK

... in response to Re: Re: te quiero vs. te amo, posted by jediknight on Apr 3, 2005

Jediknight,

This is good stuff too.  Coupled with my earlier post, and your response, this gives me more information that I can better understand.

                            OkieMan

... in response to te quiero vs. te amo, posted by zed on Apr 3, 2005

My wife recently scolded me for using "te quiero"; she says that is what people use when they are just novios, not committed, etc.  She doesn't like "querida" nor "te quiero" at this point.  It has to be "mi amor" and "te amo."

... in response to Re: te quiero vs. te amo, posted by doombug on Apr 3, 2005

te quiero would be used amongst very good friends or someone you really care about. te amo is much stronger.

... in response to Re: Re: te quiero vs. te amo, posted by jediknight on Apr 3, 2005

I did not ask the original question, but all of this is good stuff to know-- for when the time comes.

                         OkieMan