Short answer: "I love you" in Spanish is Te quiero, or Te amo depending on the situation.
Te quiero, the core translation
The default way to say "I love you" in Spanish is Te quiero. Pronounced roughly teh kee-EH-roh.
When Spanish speakers actually use it
"Te quiero" for family, friends, partners; "Te amo" is stronger and more romantic.
Alternative: Te amo
Te amo is the other option Spanish speakers reach for in this situation. It's not a synonym so much as a register shift, use the one that matches who you're talking to.
Practice this in a real Spanish conversation
Reading a phrase and saying it out loud are two different skills. Skala's AI conversations let you drop "Te quiero" into a real Spanish exchange in your first 3-minute lesson, so it sticks the first time.
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FAQ
What's the most polite way to say "I love you" in Spanish?
Both Te quiero and Te amo are polite. Pick based on who you're talking to: register, not translation, is what natives are tuning into.
How do I pronounce Te quiero?
Roughly teh kee-EH-roh. Recording yourself once and comparing to a native audio inside Skala closes the gap faster than reading pronunciation guides.