Descubre las diferencias entre querer y amar en español: matiz, intensidad y uso correcto, con ejemplos y pautas para elegir el verbo adecuado en distintas situaciones.
Discover the differences between wanting and loving in Spanish: nuance, intensity, correct usage, with examples and guidelines to choose the right verb in different situations.
Love in Spanish splits into nuances: use querer for affection and amar for deep or romantic love.
Querer
Querer means to care for someone, to want them around, or to wish for something; it fits friendships and family as well as gentle romance.
| Spanish Word(s) | English Word(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| quiero | I want / I love | |
| quieres | you want / you love | |
| quiere | he/she wants / loves | |
| queremos | we want / we love | |
| queréis | you all want / love | |
| quieren | they want / they love |
Querer significa cuidar a alguien, desear tenerlo cerca o anhelar algo; se ajusta tanto a amistades y familia como a romances suaves.
I want/love to spend more time with you.
Amar
Amar signals intense, often romantic love; it shows up in literature, vows, and serious declarations more than everyday speech.
| Spanish Word(s) | English Word(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| amo | I love | |
| amas | you love | |
| ama | he/she loves | |
| amamos | we love | |
| amáis | you all love | |
| aman | they love |
Amar indica un amor intenso, a menudo romántico; aparece en la literatura, en votos y en declaraciones serias más que en el habla cotidiana.
I love everything about you.
Usage
Use querer for general affection, desires, and when speaking naturally to loved ones; use amar for solemn or passionate love and when you want to sound elevated or serious.
Examples
Usa querer para afecto general, deseos, y cuando hablas de forma natural con seres queridos; usa amar para un amor solemne o apasionado y cuando quieres sonar más elevado o serio.
Expressions
Phrases with querer and amar show typical uses: querer appears in common sayings and requests, while amar appears in set phrases and literary contexts.
Frases con querer y amar muestran usos típicos: querer aparece en dichos comunes y solicitudes, mientras que amar en expresiones hechas y contextos literarios.
We care for each other a lot; we're family.
Summary
Remember: use querer for everyday love and affection and amar for deep, romantic, or formal love; choosing one or the other changes the tone of your sentiment.
Recuerda: usa querer para el amor y afecto del día a día y amar para un amor profundo, romántico o formal; elegir uno u otro cambia el tono de tu sentimiento.
Suggested Reading

Practice Makes Perfect: Basic Spanish by Dorothy Richmond

No Nonsense Spanish Workbook by Eric W. Vogt & My Daily Spanish

The Everything Learning Spanish Book by Julie Gutin

Collins Easy Learning: Spanish Conversation by Collins Dictionaries

Practice Makes Perfect: Spanish Conversation by Jean Yates

Madrigal's Magic Key to Spanish by Margarita Madrigal

Spanish All-In-One For Dummies by Susana Wald & Cecie Kraynak

Easy Spanish Step-By-Step by Barbara Bregstein

Barron’s 501 Spanish Verbs by Christopher Kendris and Theodore Kendris

Complete Spanish Step-By-Step by Barbara Bregstein

Practice Makes Perfect: Complete Spanish Grammar by Gilda Nissenberg
All content was written by our AI and may contain a few mistakes. We may earn commissions on some links. Last updated: Wed Dec 3, 2025, 6:21 PM