How to Say "loved" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “loved” is “amado” — use 'amado' when describing something or someone that has received deep affection, often implying a lasting or cherished quality..
amado
ah-MAH-doh/aˈmaðo/
Examples
Este es mi libro más amado; lo he leído diez veces.
This is my most beloved book; I have read it ten times.
Mi amado esposo siempre me apoya.
My beloved husband always supports me.
Yo he amado a esa mujer toda mi vida.
I have loved that woman all my life.
Ellos no habían amado antes de conocerse.
They had not loved before meeting each other.
Gender and Number Agreement
Like all Spanish adjectives, 'amado' must match the gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural) of the person or thing it describes: 'amada' (f), 'amados' (m. pl.), 'amadas' (f. pl.).
Forming Perfect Tenses
The form 'amado' is essential for creating 'perfect' tenses, which describe actions completed in the past. You combine the verb 'haber' (conjugated) + 'amado' (which never changes form in this construction).
It Stays the Same
When used with 'haber,' the participle 'amado' is invariable (it always stays 'amado,' even if the subject is female or plural): 'Nosotros hemos amado' (We have loved).
Forgetting Agreement
Mistake: “La ciudad es amado por sus habitantes.”
Correction: La ciudad es amada por sus habitantes. (Since 'ciudad' is feminine, 'amado' must become 'amada'.)
Changing the Participle
Mistake: “Ellas han amadas mucho.”
Correction: Ellas han amado mucho. (The participle doesn't change when used with 'haber'.)
amado
ah-MAH-doh/aˈmaðo/
Examples
Yo he amado a esa mujer toda mi vida.
I have loved that woman all my life.
Este es mi libro más amado; lo he leído diez veces.
This is my most beloved book; I have read it ten times.
Mi amado esposo siempre me apoya.
My beloved husband always supports me.
Ellos no habían amado antes de conocerse.
They had not loved before meeting each other.
Gender and Number Agreement
Like all Spanish adjectives, 'amado' must match the gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural) of the person or thing it describes: 'amada' (f), 'amados' (m. pl.), 'amadas' (f. pl.).
Forming Perfect Tenses
The form 'amado' is essential for creating 'perfect' tenses, which describe actions completed in the past. You combine the verb 'haber' (conjugated) + 'amado' (which never changes form in this construction).
It Stays the Same
When used with 'haber,' the participle 'amado' is invariable (it always stays 'amado,' even if the subject is female or plural): 'Nosotros hemos amado' (We have loved).
Forgetting Agreement
Mistake: “La ciudad es amado por sus habitantes.”
Correction: La ciudad es amada por sus habitantes. (Since 'ciudad' is feminine, 'amado' must become 'amada'.)
Changing the Participle
Mistake: “Ellas han amadas mucho.”
Correction: Ellas han amado mucho. (The participle doesn't change when used with 'haber'.)
queridos
keh-REE-dohs/keˈɾiðos/
Examples
Los juguetes de la infancia son muy queridos por los adultos.
Childhood toys are very loved by adults.
Esos cuadros son tan queridos que no tienen precio.
Those paintings are so cherished that they are priceless.
Acting as a Past Participle
'Queridos' is the past participle of the verb 'querer' (to want/to love). When used as an adjective, it describes a state resulting from the action of loving or wanting.
quiso
/kee-so//ˈkiso/
Examples
Ella quiso un vestido azul para la fiesta.
She wanted a blue dress for the party.
Mi jefe quiso que le diéramos el informe ayer.
My boss wanted us to give him the report yesterday.
Usted nunca quiso la verdad, solo dinero.
You (formal) never wanted the truth, only money.
Irregular Past Tense
The stem of 'querer' completely changes in the simple past (preterite) from 'quer-' to 'quis-'. This is a common pattern for important Spanish verbs (like 'poder' -> 'pud-').
Using the wrong past stem
Mistake: “Él *querió* un vaso de agua.”
Correction: Él *quiso* un vaso de agua. (Always remember the 'quis-' stem for the preterite.)
Confusing 'amado'/'querido' with 'quiso'
Related Translations
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