In Spanish, two key verbs express love: querer and amar.
- Querer covers affection, attachment, liking, and even desire — it’s a versatile, everyday way to express “love” or “want.”
- Amar is reserved for deep, profound, and typically romantic love, carrying a weight and intensity beyond querer.
Querer: Affection, Desire, and More
Querer can mean “to want,” “to need,” “to love,” and “to care for,” depending on context. It’s used for family, friends, partners, and even things you desire.
- Expresses love, affection, and attachment, but with a lighter, more general emotional charge.
- Also means “to want” or “to need,” so context is key.
- Commonly used for family, friends, and significant others—anyone with whom you share affection.
| Subject | Present | Example (Love) | Example (Want) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yo | Quiero | Yo te quiero. | Quiero un café. |
| Tú | Quieres | Tú me quieres. | Quieres salir hoy? |
| Él/Ella | Quiere | Él quiere a su familia. | Ella quiere viajar. |
| Nosotros | Queremos | Nosotros nos queremos. | Queremos éxito. |
| Ellos | Quieren | Ellos se quieren. | Quieren comprar una casa. |
You can use *querer* to express love or affection for family, friends, and romantic partners (especially in less formal or early-stage relationships).
Amar: Deep, Passionate Love
Amar is for profound, often romantic or spiritual love. It’s less commonly used in daily small-talk and more in serious relationships or literary/poetic contexts.
- Reserved for deep, intense, and enduring love—often romantic or spiritual.
- Not typically used for casual relationships or for expressing love of things.
- Common in serious romantic contexts, marriage, and some forms of spiritual love.
| Subject | Present | Example (Love) |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | Amo | Yo amo a mi esposo. |
| Tú | Amas | Tú amas el arte. (Romantic/spiritual) |
| Él/Ella | Ama | Ella ama a sus hijos profundamente. |
| Nosotros | Amamos | Nosotros amamos viajar. (When heartfelt) |
| Ellos | Aman | Ellos aman la música de verdad. |
*Amar* is used for deep, serious love—such as in marriage, passionate relationships, or spiritual contexts.
Summary
- Use querer for flexible love: affection, attachment, and desire—appropriate for family, friends, and partners in casual or developing relationships.
- Use amar for serious, profound love—typically in romantic, marital, or spiritual contexts.
You would use *querer* to express love for a friend, not *amar*.
Yes, *querer* can express both love and desire depending on context.
*Amar* is not commonly used for liking everyday things; it's reserved for deep love.
*Amar* is most likely heard in marriage vows, poetry, and romantic films.
Conclusion
To love in Spanish requires choosing between querer and amar—each with its own emotional depth and usage.
- Use querer for affection, attachment, and everyday love (and even wanting/desiring).
- Reserve amar for profound, passionate, and often lifelong love.