Inklingo

How to Say "in love" in Spanish

English → Spanish

enamorado

eh-nah-moh-RAH-doh/ena.moˈɾa.ðo/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'enamorado' to describe the general state of being romantically in love with someone.
A person smiling brightly and looking joyful, with three stylized pink hearts floating around their head, symbolizing the state of being deeply in love.

Examples

¿Estás enamorado de tu nueva vecina?

Are you in love with your new neighbor (f.)?

Mi hermana está enamorada de la música clásica.

My sister is in love with classical music.

Parecen tan enamorados cuando se miran.

They look so in love when they look at each other.

Use with 'Estar' (To Be)

To say someone IS in love, always use the verb 'estar' because it describes a current, often changing, emotional state, not a permanent part of their personality.

Required Preposition

You must follow 'enamorado' with the preposition 'de' (of) to say who or what someone is in love with. It does not use 'con' (with).

Using 'Ser'

Mistake: “Él es enamorado.”

Correction: Él está enamorado. (This corrects the mistake of treating 'in love' as a permanent quality using 'ser'.)

colgado

/kol-GAH-doh//kolˈɡaðo/

adjectiveC1informal
Use 'colgado' to describe being infatuated or obsessively smitten with someone or something, often implying a temporary or intense fixation.
A cheerful figure tightly embracing an oversized ball of brightly colored purple yarn, showing intense focus and obsession.

Examples

Está colgado de la nueva profesora de inglés.

He's infatuated with the new English teacher.

Mi hermana está colgada del gimnasio, va cinco veces a la semana.

My sister is hooked on the gym; she goes five times a week.

(Spain) Él siempre está colgado; nunca escucha lo que le dices.

(Spain) He is always spaced out; he never listens to what you tell him.

(Spain) Parece que Juan está colgado de María.

(Spain) It looks like Juan is crazy about María (in love with her).

Required Preposition

When 'colgado' means 'hooked' or 'in love,' it must be followed by the preposition 'de' (of/on) to introduce the object of the obsession.

Confusing Regional Meaning

Mistake: “Using 'estar colgado' to mean 'hooked' in a region where it only means 'distracted' or 'in love'.”

Correction: In many parts of Latin America, 'enganchado' is the safer, more neutral term for 'hooked' on a hobby or show.

Confusing 'Enamorado' and 'Colgado'

Learners often confuse 'enamorado' and 'colgado'. Remember that 'enamorado' is the standard term for being 'in love', while 'colgado' implies a more intense, sometimes fleeting, infatuation or obsession, and is more informal.

Related Translations

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