amo
“amo” means “I love” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
I love
📝 In Action
Amo a mi familia.
A1I love my family.
Amo el helado de chocolate.
A1I love chocolate ice cream.
Yo te amo más que a nada en el mundo.
A2I love you more than anything in the world.
master, owner
Also: lord
📝 In Action
El perro espera felizmente a su amo.
B1The dog happily waits for its owner.
En la película, el sirviente era leal a su amo.
B2In the movie, the servant was loyal to his master.
Él se cree el amo del universo.
C1He thinks he's the master of the universe.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: amo
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'amo' correctly to mean 'I love'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word 'amo' has two totally different origins! As 'I love', it comes from the Latin verb 'amāre', which means 'to love'. As 'master', it's a shortened form of the Latin word 'dominus', meaning 'lord' or 'master', which also gives us English words like 'dominate'.
First recorded: Verb: 10th century, Noun: 12th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'te amo' and 'te quiero'?
'Te amo' is a very strong and deep 'I love you,' usually saved for a romantic partner, spouse, or very close family members. 'Te quiero' is more common and can mean 'I love you' in a less intense way, perfect for friends, and other family. When in doubt, 'te quiero' is often a safer and more common choice.
Is the noun 'amo' (master) common today?
Not really in everyday conversation about people. It sounds a bit old-fashioned or formal. For 'owner' of a house or business, people always use 'dueño'. You will hear it most often for pet owners ('el amo del perro') or in books and movies set in the past.