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Querer vs. Amar: to love

A comprehensive guide on the difference between “querer” and “amar” in Spanish, including usage, context, and examples.

In Spanish, there are two common verbs for “to love”: querer and amar. While both express love, they are used in different contexts and carry different emotional weights. Understanding the difference will help you express yourself more naturally and accurately.
  • Querer is a more general, everyday kind of love or affection.
  • Amar is a deeper, more intense, and often more serious kind of love.
  • The choice depends on context, relationship, and cultural nuance.

Querer

Querer is used to express affection, fondness, or liking someone or something. It can mean “to love,” “to like,” or even “to want,” depending on the context. It’s commonly used among family, friends, and even in romantic relationships, especially in the early stages.
  • Querer can mean “to love,” “to like,” or “to want.”
  • It expresses a warm, affectionate kind of love that is more casual or everyday.
  • Common in family settings, friendships, and early romance.

Amar

Amar is a stronger, more intense verb that means “to love” in a deep, often romantic or spiritual sense. It’s less commonly used in casual conversation and more likely to appear in literature, vows, or serious declarations of love.
  • Amar means a profound, intense kind of love.
  • It’s often reserved for romantic, spiritual, or very serious contexts.
  • Less common in everyday speech, more common in poetry, songs, and formal declarations.

Usage Examples

  1. Querer
  2. Te quiero mucho. (I love you a lot.)
  3. Quiero a mi hermana. (I love my sister.)
  4. Quiero comer pizza. (I want to eat pizza.)
  1. Amar
  2. Te amo con todo mi corazón. (I love you with all my heart.)
  3. Amar es un acto de entrega. (To love is an act of giving oneself.)
  4. Amo la música clásica. (I love classical music.)

Summary

  • Use querer for general affection, family, friends, and casual romance.
  • Use amar for deep, serious, or romantic love, especially in formal or poetic contexts.
  • Understanding the difference will help you express love more naturally in Spanish.

What is the key to using 'querer' and 'amar' correctly in Spanish?


Understanding the relationship, context, and emotional intensity.
Choosing the right verb depends on the nature of the relationship and how deeply or seriously the love is being expressed.

Last updated: Thu Jun 5, 2025

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