How to Say I Love You in Portuguese
Learn how to say I love you in Portuguese. 'Eu te amo' / 'Te amo' is deep love; 'Gosto de você' is lighter. Pronunciation guide + romantic Portuguese phrases.
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Quick answer
To say 'I love you' in Portuguese, say 'Eu te amo' (eh-oo chee AH-moo) or simply 'Te amo' — this expresses deep, romantic love. For lighter affection or liking someone, use 'Gosto de você' (I like you) or 'Gosto muito de você' (I like you a lot). 'Eu te amo' is the heartfelt declaration; 'Te amo' alone is common and warm in Brazil.
Eu te amo
/eh-oo chee AH-moo/ — Portuguese
How to Say I Love You in Portuguese
Portuguese is one of the world’s most romantic languages — home to saudade, the famous word for longing. Saying “I love you” ranges from the deep Eu te amo to the lighter Gosto de você.
The Phrase
Eu te amo — pronounced eh-oo chee AH-moo (Brazilian) — or simply Te amo
Copy the Phrase
The Portuguese phrase for “I love you” is Eu te amo (eh-oo chee AH-moo) — or just Te amo.
Eu Te Amo vs. Te Amo
Both mean “I love you.” The difference is just the subject pronoun:
- Eu te amo — includes “Eu” (I); slightly more emphatic/complete
- Te amo — drops “Eu” (Portuguese often omits subject pronouns); a touch more casual/everyday
Both are common and warm, especially in Brazil.
The Brazilian “Te” = “Chee” Surprise
A hallmark of Brazilian Portuguese: the letter t before e or i is pronounced like “ch.” So:
- te → “chee”
- Eu te amo → “eh-oo chee AH-moo”
In European Portuguese, te stays “teh.” This Brazilian palatalization surprises many learners.
Amar vs. Gostar: Depth of Feeling
| Portuguese | Meaning | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Gosto de você | I like you | Light, affectionate |
| Gosto muito de você | I like you a lot | Warmer |
| Eu te amo / Te amo | I love you | Deep, romantic |
| Eu te adoro | I adore you | Intense affection |
Amar = deep romantic love (reserved for partners, family). Gostar de = to like (people and things). Saying amo too early can feel intense, much like English “I love you.”
Saudade — The Untranslatable Word
Portuguese has a famous word with no exact English equivalent: saudade (sow-DAH-jee) — a deep, bittersweet longing or yearning for someone or something absent. To say “I miss you”:
- Estou com saudades (de você) — I’m filled with longing for you
- Sinto sua falta — I feel your absence (I miss you)
More Romantic Phrases
| Portuguese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Você é o amor da minha vida | You are the love of my life |
| Eu te amo demais | I love you so much |
| Não consigo viver sem você | I can’t live without you |
| Você significa tudo para mim | You mean everything to me |
| Eu também te amo | I love you too |
Terms of Endearment
| Portuguese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Meu amor | My love |
| Querido / Querida | Dear/darling (m/f) |
| Meu bem | My dear/sweetheart |
| Meu coração | My heart |
| Amorzinho | Little love (sweet) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Eu te amo and Te amo?
They mean the same thing — 'I love you' — but 'Eu te amo' includes the explicit subject 'Eu' (I), while 'Te amo' drops it (Portuguese often omits subject pronouns since the verb shows who's speaking). Both are correct and common, especially in Brazil. 'Te amo' is a touch more casual/everyday; 'Eu te amo' can feel slightly more emphatic or complete. Both express deep, romantic love.
How do you pronounce Eu te amo?
'Eu te amo' is pronounced eh-oo chee AH-moo (Brazilian). 'Eu' = eh-oo (a quick diphthong). 'Te' = chee in Brazilian Portuguese (the 't' before 'e/i' becomes a 'ch' sound!) or 'teh' in European Portuguese. 'Amo' = AH-moo (Brazil) or AH-moo/AH-mu. The Brazilian 'te' = 'chee' surprises learners — it's a hallmark of the Brazilian accent.
What is the difference between amar and gostar?
'Amar' (to love) is deep, romantic, profound love — 'Eu te amo' (I love you). 'Gostar de' (to like) is lighter — 'Gosto de você' (I like you), used for affection, fondness, or early romantic interest. So 'amar' is reserved for serious love (partners, family), while 'gostar de' covers liking people and things ('Gosto de pizza' = I like pizza). Using 'amo' too early can feel intense.
How do you say 'I love you too' in Portuguese?
'Eu também te amo' (eh-oo tahm-BAYN chee AH-moo) = I love you too, or simply 'Também te amo' / 'Te amo também.' 'Também' means 'also/too.' To reciprocate 'gosto de você,' say 'Também gosto de você.' 'Eu também' (me too) on its own works as a quick reply.
What are romantic phrases in Portuguese?
Portuguese is beautifully romantic: 'Eu te adoro' (I adore you), 'Sinto sua falta' / 'Estou com saudades' (I miss you — 'saudade' is the famous untranslatable Portuguese word for deep longing), 'Você é o amor da minha vida' (you are the love of my life), 'Eu te amo demais' (I love you so much). Terms of endearment: 'meu amor' (my love), 'querido/querida' (dear), 'meu bem' (my dear/sweetheart).