A Lesson on Spanish Love

Ah, relationships.  So exciting, so terrifying.  Remember when you’re just getting in to a relationship and it’s new and scary, and you think you’re in love but you don’t want to say so because what if they don’t say “I love you” back?

Well in Spanish they have a different system.  You tell me whether it’s better or worse.

• You say me caes bien when someone is nice and friendly and you enjoy their company. (Literally, “You seem nice/good”)
• You say me gustas when you are attracted to that person, or have a crush on them. (Literally, “You please me”)
• You say te aprecio when you are dating someone, you like spending time with them, and you have feelings for them. (Literally, “I appreciate you”)
• You say te quiero when you are dating someone, and you feel strongly for them. (Literally, “I want you”)
• You say te amo when you have a very strong, serious, committed relationship, or they are family. (Literally, “I love you”)

And more or less, you go in order.  I mean, you might skip the first one, that one is mostly reserved for platonic friends.  So you tell me, which is easier, the English version or the Spanish version?  On the one hand, in Spanish one could argue that it’s a gradual thing, you’re being weaned onto the idea of love.  But on the other hand, you might get all nervous about every single step, and then you have to go through the ordeal four or five times!