Inklingo

How to Say "to love" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to love” is “querer” — use this for expressing affection towards people (family, friends, romantic partners) and pets; it's the most common way to say 'I love you' in many contexts.

English → Spanish

querer

keh-REHRkeˈɾeɾ

verbA2informal
Use this for expressing affection towards people (family, friends, romantic partners) and pets; it's the most common way to say 'I love you' in many contexts.
A young girl gently hugs a fluffy brown puppy, both looking content and happy, demonstrating deep affection.

Examples

Te quiero mucho, mamá.

I love you very much, Mom.

Él quiere a su perro como si fuera su hijo.

He loves his dog as if it were his child.

No sé si la quiero o solo la aprecio.

I don't know if I love her (romantically) or just appreciate her.

The Personal 'a'

When 'querer' means 'to love/care for' a specific person or pet, you must put the word 'a' before the person or pet: 'Quiero a mi abuela.'

Love vs. Love ('Querer' vs. 'Amar')

'Querer' is the default for family and friends. 'Amar' is usually reserved for deep, romantic love, poetry, or intense passion.

Forgetting the 'a'

Mistake: “Yo quiero mi novio.”

Correction: Yo quiero *a* mi novio. (You must mark the person receiving the affection with 'a').

amar

ah-MAHRaˈmaɾ

verbA1formal
This expresses a profound, deep love, often reserved for romantic partners, family members in a very serious context, or abstract concepts like life itself.
A small child gently hugging a fluffy white dog, showing mutual affection and love.

Examples

Mi abuela y mi abuelo se amaron por sesenta años.

My grandmother and grandfather loved each other for sixty years.

Yo amo a mis hijos más que nada.

I love my children more than anything.

Ella ama su nuevo perro.

She loves her new dog.

The Essential 'Personal A'

When 'amar' is followed by a specific person or pet, you must include the word 'a' right before them. This doesn't translate to English, but it's essential in Spanish: 'Yo amo a Juan' (I love Juan).

Using 'Amar' vs. 'Querer'

'Amar' is reserved for deep, profound love (romantic partners, family, God). Use 'querer' for liking friends, wanting things, or expressing affection for things you enjoy doing.

fascinar

fas-see-NAHRfasiˈnaɾ

verbA2
Use this when you are intensely interested in or captivated by something, similar to 'to be fascinated by' or 'to really like'.
A child with wide eyes and a bright smile looking closely at a glowing, colorful butterfly on a leaf.

Examples

Me fascina la arquitectura antigua de esta ciudad.

I am fascinated by the ancient architecture of this city.

A mis hijos les fascinan los dinosaurios.

My children love dinosaurs / Dinosaurs fascinate my children.

Siempre me ha fascinado la idea de viajar al espacio.

The idea of traveling to space has always fascinated me.

The 'Gustar' Rule

This verb works backwards compared to English. Instead of saying 'I fascinate it,' you say 'It fascinates me.' You start with words like me, te, le, nos, os, or les.

Matching the Thing You Love

The ending of the verb changes based on the thing that is fascinating. Use 'fascina' for one thing (Me fascina el libro) and 'fascinan' for multiple things (Me fascinan los libros).

Using 'Yo'

Mistake: “Yo fascino la música.”

Correction: Me fascina la música. In Spanish, the music is the one doing the action to you.

Missing the 'A'

Mistake: “Mis amigos les fascina bailar.”

Correction: A mis amigos les fascina bailar. When you mention specific people by name or title, you must put 'A' at the very beginning.

privar

pree-BARpɾiˈβaɾ

verbC1informal
This is used to express being extremely fond of or 'crazy about' a specific food or drink.
A person with a huge smile holding a giant ice cream cone with multiple scoops.

Examples

A mi madre le priva el chocolate suizo.

My mother is crazy about Swiss chocolate.

Me privan las películas de terror.

I absolutely love horror movies.

The 'Gustar' Structure

In this meaning, the verb works like 'gustar'. The thing you love is the subject, and you use words like 'me', 'te', or 'le' to show who loves it. For example: 'Me priva' means 'It is amazing to me'.

Saying 'Yo privo' for 'I love'

Mistake: “Yo privo el café.”

Correction: Me priva el café. (The coffee is the thing doing the action to you in this informal sense.)

Querer vs. Amar

The most common mistake is using 'amar' for everyday affection where 'querer' is more appropriate. Reserve 'amar' for deep, profound love; use 'querer' for most expressions of love towards people and pets.

Related Translations

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