How to Say I Love You in Spanish

Ways to Express Love and Friendship in Spanish

It can be hard to express your feelings. Finding the right words to say, ensuring nothing is misinterpreted, and immediately getting everything off your chest isn’t easy.

We’ve all been in different situations where we told someone how we felt about them, whether telling friends how much we appreciate them, our partners how much we love them, or our families how much they mean to us. 

Sometimes thinking of the perfect way to say how you feel can seem impossible. Imagine doing it in a foreign language, though!

There are many ways to express love and friendship in Spanish, and you’ll want to ensure you understand their differences. You don’t want to mistakenly confess your undying love for a friend you just met. If you’re dating a Spanish speaker, you’ll probably want to avoid saying you love them like a sibling, too! 

Basic Romantic Spanish Love Vocabulary

Before we get started, let’s look at some of the common vocabulary you’ll encounter when discussing love in Spanish. 

• Una cita (A date)
• Novia/Novio (Girlfriend/Boyfriend)
• Soltero/Soltera (Single)
• Casado/Casada (Married)
• Una relación (A relationship)
• Un abrazo (A hug)
• Un beso (A kiss)

What to Say on a First Date

When you’re just getting to know someone or on a first date together, you don’t want to come on too strong. The phrases below are perfect for these situations because they’re innocent and more friendly. Using these can be a great way to express interest in the other person without making them uncomfortable. They’re also great for breaking the ice and getting the conversation flowing!

• Me caes bien. (I like you.)
• Te ves hermosa/hermoso esta noche. (You look beautiful/handsome tonight.)
• Estás guapa/guapo. (You’re beautiful/handsome.)
• ¡Me encanta tu personalidad! (I love your personality!)
• Nos llevamos bien. (We get along well.)
• Te queda muy bien tu vestido. (Your dress looks very nice on you.)
• Gracias por invitarme esta noche. (Thank you for inviting me tonight.)

More Spanish Romantic Expressions

If the first date goes well, you’ll probably start using more romantic expressions next time you see each other. These phrases are great for telling your date you like them romantically but are still somewhat tame. They’re perfect for a second and third date and can get the ball rolling for more dates in the future. 

• Pienso en ti como algo más que un amigo. (I think of you as more than a friend.)
• Me gusta pasar tiempo contigo. (I like spending time with you.)
• Me gustaría verte otra vez. (I’d like to see you again.)
• ¿Cuándo te vuelvo a ver? (When can I see you again?)
• ¿Qué buscas? (What are you looking for?)
• ¿Te estás disfrutando? (Are you enjoying yourself?)
• Coquetear (to flirt)

What to Say When You’re in a Relationship

You can start using these phrases after you’ve been dating for a while and are in a steady relationship. They’re perfect for telling your partner how much you love them and how much they mean to you. These phrases are pretty serious if you say them to someone else in Spanish, so only use them when you’re truly committed to your partner!

• Te amo. (A more serious way to say “I love you”)
• Eres mi media naranja. (You’re my other half. Literally, “You’re my half orange.”)
• Estoy loca/loco por ti. (I’m crazy about you.)
• Tienes todo mi corazón. (You have my whole heart.)
• Eres el amor de mi vida. (You’re the love of my life.)
• Mi corazón late por ti. (My heart beats for you.)

Pet Names in Spanish

Throughout any relationship (and even some friendships), you’ll probably start calling each other pet names at some point. Sweetie, honey, babe, and baby are some of the most popular ones in English. Spanish has a lot of “go-to” pet names, too. They’re the perfect way to remind others how much you care about them.

• Mi reina/rey (My queen/king)
• Mi sol (My sun)
• Mi amor (My love)
• Mi cielo (My sky)
• Mi vida (My life)

Telling Friends and Family How Much They Mean to You

Outside of dating and relationships, there are probably still many people you love and care for – friends, family, neighbors, and even coworkers. The phrases above are all pretty specific to romantic relationships, so let’s look at ways you can express love for others in your life. 

These are perfect for telling someone else how much they mean to you in a non-romantic way.

• Te quiero. (A casual way to say “I love you”)
• Somos amigos/amigas para toda la vida. (We are friends for life.)
• Mi mejor amigo/amiga (My best friend)
• Eres mi roca/Eres mi apoyo. (You are my rock/You are my support.)
• No puedo imaginar mi vida sin ti. (I can’t imagine my life without you.)
• Gracias por siempre estar ahí para mí. (Thank you for always being there for me.)

There are many ways to express love and friendship in every language, and knowing the right context for using certain words and phrases is important. In Spanish, there are so many different ways to share your feelings with others that it can sometimes be a little overwhelming. 

Hopefully, this list of Spanish love and friendship words and phrases will help you understand when to use each. Maybe you even learned a few new words and phrases while reading! 

Language is one of the most important ways we connect with others, and being able to confidently and clearly express yourself to someone else can strengthen your relationships, whether in Latin American Spanish or Castilian Spanish.

Keep these phrases handy next time you meet up with friends or go on a date. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find your media naranja sooner rather than later!