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.
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
✏️ 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.