Here's the breakdown:
* "Te amo" translates to "I love you". It expresses a deep, romantic, and enduring love. This is the most common way to say "I love you" in Spanish.
* "Quiero" translates to "I want" or "I love" (in a more general sense).
* "Quiero" can express a desire or a liking. For example, "Quiero un café" means "I want a coffee."
* "Quiero" can be used to express affection, but it's not as intense or romantic as "te amo." For example, "Te quiero mucho" means "I love you very much," but it's often used in a more platonic context.
In essence, "te amo" is reserved for deep, romantic love, while "quiero" can express a wider range of feelings, including desire, fondness, and love in a more general sense.