Spoken Description

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.

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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)
quieroI want / I love
quieresyou want / you love
quierehe/she wants / loves
queremoswe want / we love
queréisyou all want / love
quierenthey 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.

Yo quiero pasar más tiempo contigo.

I want/love to spend more time with you.

Yo ___ (querer) pasar más tiempo contigo.

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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)
amoI love
amasyou love
amahe/she loves
amamoswe love
amáisyou all love
amanthey 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.

Yo amo todo de ti.

I love everything about you.

Yo ___ (amar) todo de ti.

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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.

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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.

Nos queremos mucho; somos familia.

We care for each other a lot; we're family.

Nos ___ (querer) mucho; somos familia.

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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

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No Nonsense Spanish Workbook

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The Everything Learning Spanish Book

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Collins Easy Learning: Spanish Conversation

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Madrigal's Magic Key to Spanish

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Easy Spanish Step-By-Step

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Barron’s 501 Spanish Verbs

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

Complete Spanish Step-By-Step

Complete Spanish Step-By-Step by Barbara Bregstein

Practice Makes Perfect: Complete Spanish Grammar

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