There are many ways to say “love” in Spanish, depending on the situation, the type of relationship, and the level of emotion involved. Below is a list of common and nuanced synonyms with explanations and examples to help you use them correctly.
Core Synonyms for Love
Amor
This is the standard and most direct translation of “love.” It is used for romantic love, family love, and even abstract concepts.
Example:
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El amor verdadero — True love
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El amor de madre — A mother’s love
Querer
This verb often means “to want,” but when used with people, it expresses affection and love. It is softer than amar and very commonly used.
Example:
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Te quiero mucho — I love you very much
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Quiero a mis amigos — I love my friends
Amar
This verb means “to love” in a deeper, more intense sense. It is often reserved for romantic or profound emotional connections.
Example:
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Te amo — I love you (deeply)
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Amar sin condiciones — To love unconditionally
Additional Expressions and Synonyms
Cariño
This word means affection or endearment. It can refer to a feeling or be used as a term of affection.
Example:
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Te tengo mucho cariño — I have a lot of affection for you
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Hola, cariño — Hello, darling
Afecto
Used to describe a kind or tender emotion. More formal than cariño.
Example:
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Le tengo mucho afecto — I feel great affection for him/her
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Demostrar afecto — To show affection
Pasión
This refers to passionate or intense love, usually in a romantic or physical context.
Example:
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Una relación llena de pasión — A relationship full of passion
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La pasión entre ellos es evidente — The passion between them is clear
Devoción
This word is used for devoted love, often in spiritual, religious, or very loyal contexts.
Example:
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Amor y devoción eternos — Eternal love and devotion
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Tiene devoción por su familia — He/she has devotion for his/her family
Adoración
This expresses adoration or a high level of emotional admiration.
Example:
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Su adoración por ella era evidente — His adoration for her was clear
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Miraba a su hijo con adoración — He/she looked at his son with adoration
Regional and Colloquial Terms
Enamoramiento
This refers to the state of being in love, especially the early stages.
Example:
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Está en pleno enamoramiento — He/she is in the middle of falling in love
Encanto
Often translated as “charm,” but in some contexts it expresses the feeling of falling for someone.
Example:
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Tienes un encanto especial — You have a special charm
When to Use Each Word
For Romantic Love
Use amor, amar, te amo, and pasión when talking about deep or romantic relationships.
For Family and Friends
Use querer, te quiero, cariño, and afecto for more general affection.
For Emotional or Spiritual Love
Choose devoción or adoración when referring to intense emotional or spiritual attachment.
Choosing the right synonym helps you express your emotions more precisely and connect better in Spanish-speaking settings.