te amo

In spanish we have two tranlations for "I love you". "Te amo" y "Te quiero", both with different meanings. The first one is "Te amo", that expresses a deep desire, it comes from the verb "amar", it implies a intense feeling, which based in its own insufficiency, needs and searches the meeting and union with other being. It's a feeling that involves attraction and looks for reciprocity in the desire; it complete us and give us energy and happiness for coexist, comunicate us and think up. It's an affection with full devotion and disposition, includes volition, concent and concern. It trends to a sexual union. Feel real "Amor" for some one means liking and endearment. It is a couple feeling BUT it can be a family feeling too even if it does not envolve the sexual desire because you could give your life for them. The second translation is "Te quiero", comes from the verb "querer". It means, that you in a way, "want the best for someone", you like that person and you want to be with, because you enjoy your time together, it is fun and you don't want to end it. It applies for informal boyfriends or girlfriends, friends and second order relatives.