amo
/ah-moh/
Quick Reference
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
The Personal 'a'
When you love a person or a pet, you need to add the small word 'a' right after 'amo'. For example, 'Amo a mi perro' (I love my dog), but just 'Amo el café' (I love coffee).
❌ Common Pitfalls
'Amo' vs. 'Quiero'
Mistake: "Using 'amo' for friends or in casual situations: 'Amo a mi amigo.'"
Correction: It's better to say 'Quiero a mi amigo.' The word 'amo' is very powerful and is usually saved for romantic partners, very close family, or God. 'Quiero' is a more common way to say you love or care for friends and family.
⭐ Usage Tips
Expressing Passion
You can also use 'amo' to show you're really passionate about an activity or a thing, not just a person. For example, 'Amo leer' means 'I love to read.'
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: amo
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'amo' correctly to mean 'I love'?
📚 More Resources
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.