Spanish word

amor

Pronunciation

IPA/aˈmoɾ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounlove

Example

El amor es esencial para la felicidad.

Love is essential for happiness.

Illustration for amor (love)

More examples

Los padres sienten amor incondicional por sus hijos.

Parents feel unconditional love for their children.

Core concept

Intense emotional attachment that can be romantic, familial, or platonic.

Common phrases

  • amor incondicional

    unconditional love

  • amor verdadero

    genuine love

  • amor filial

    filial love

Similar words

cariño: Warm, friendly affection shown through caring words or gentle actions.
afecto: Fond, amiable feeling of closeness and goodwill toward someone.
pasión: Strong, overwhelming emotion that fuels desire, excitement, or obsession.
ternura: Soft, tender feeling that inspires gentle care and protectiveness.

Definition in Spanish

Afecto intenso y vínculo emocional fuerte que puede ser romántico, familiar o platónico.

Word origin

From Latin amor, ultimately from the verb amare meaning to love, the word preserves the general sense of affectionate attachment.

Usage tips

  • Te amo signals a stronger, typically romantic commitment, while te quiero is used more broadly for friends and family.

Other meanings

  • romancenoun
  • darlingnoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word