What’s the difference between “I’ve always cared about you” and “I’ve always cared for you” from a guy to a female friend?

[Anonymous]

Is there different meaning between the two?

[Bjorn526]

I usually wouldn’t make an assumption like this, but I think the chosen words “cared for you” indicates he is trying to say, that he thinks and cares about what is good for you, and your happiness... which doesn’t necessarily have to involve an emotional romantic meaning, just means how a family member would feel like

[Bjorn526]

Could be wrong, is he a native English speaker? May mean something totally different, even in India or some place, but seems to establish an interest in your happiness vs interest in romance

[Asker]

He’s American

[Bjorn526]

You know... now that I think about it, it’s hard to tell, the difference, how he said it and body language will offer you more answers than Semantics

[Asker]

He shoved a burger in his mouth. Said to look at him and then said it lol.

[Bjorn526]

Charming. I think if you have to wonder, then likely it’s not wondering about, I’m either shy because I like a girl, or I’ll show her, and in either case, she will know sooner than later

[Asker]

Well I have a guy. So I don’t want him. Lol. But yeah I was hoping he meant it as friends.

[Bjorn526]

Hard to say. Dudes are weird

[Dause]

A person easily could have decided in their mind that using one is for a friend and another for more than friends, but it could easily be flipped from person to person. Only way to know is tell them to wise up and elaborate on what they are talking about.

[Asker]

Yea I was trying to see if one mean friendly or romantic. He said he cares about me randomly the other day.

[Anonymous]

In my past experiance my ex said i care about you when he still loved me... then i cared for you when he didn't love ne in that way any more...

Im not a guy but i guess for you is past tense and about you is the here and now

[ChronicThinker]

No, it's the same shit.

[Asker]

And is it considered friendly or romantic?

[ChronicThinker]

It depends on the relationship between the people, but it can be either.

[Asker]

Thanks!

[ThatPersonOverThere]

You could make the argument that there is a difference, but that's not really the relevant question.

The relevant question is whether or not the guy who said that intended to convey a difference. To that, we simply cannot know the speaker's intent.

You may just ask him to explain what he meant.

[Asker]

Yea I was trying to see if one mean friendly or romantic

[AxlStahlmann]

Ahhhh, gramatically speaking, there's a difference. Caring about someone is more emotional while caring for someone can mean physical care too. Such as parents caring for their child.
So my answer to your question would probably depend on what the guy's doing in the relationship.

[Caaarl]

It means a different thing word wise generally but I think he just means the same thing in this case. The word choice isn't correct the second way though.

[Asker]

My guy friend said “I’ve always cared about you” to me randomly when he stuffed his face with his burger lol.
I didn’t know how to take it. But I have a man so...

[Caaarl]

Sometimes it's hard to discern. Did you ask him if he meant romantically? I don't know your relationship so it's not like I'd be able to tell. It has a double meaning caring for someone.

[Asker]

No. I kinda ignoring and played like he was joking. Because he jokes a lot.

[Caaarl]

Some people joke like that but they really do mean it and it's just a cover.

[Asker]

True. Do you think he meant it? We’ve been friends for about a year now. Got closer recently

[Caaarl]

I really can't say for sure but it's a possiblity. If you notice he jokes like that about how he feels about you all the time he might just be too scared to say anything. Male and Female friendships usually become romantic at some point.

[The_Gentelman]

Cared about: worried for/about her
Cared for: always took time to listen to her, help with her problems when possible etc.

[Asker]

My guy friend used the care about. So I wasn’t sure if it was him being friendly or romantic

[The_Gentelman]

I would say rather polite and friendly

[The_Gentelman]

If you dont mind this question: where are you from?

[Asker]

Texas
Yeah he said it randomly lol

[Mikey_Ramone]

Care for means it's more romantic with love from his heart. Care about means only when you talk to a friend, but I think it's varied.

[Asker]

I was trying to see if one mean friendly or romantic. He said he cares about me randomly the other day. He used care for after asking me to look at him. He had shoved half his burger in his mouth and said it.

[lyrical_john]

'about you' means he is trying to make her understand and 'for you' means that he is trying to forcefully make the girl understand by counting on her that how greatfull he was wich is in an inappropriate manner.

[Asker]

My guy friend said “I’ve always cared about you” to me randomly when he stuffed his face with his burger lol.
I didn’t know how to take it. But I have a man so he’s already friend zoned lol

[ImagineSketchy]

If I were to use these phrases, they would be pretty similar.

[valualty]

Care for is sympathetic. Cared about is passionate towards

[Asker]

My guy friend said “I’ve always cared about you” to me randomly when he stuffed his face with his burger lol.
I didn’t know how to take it. But I have a man so...

[Smegskull]

Care for is protective/parental. Care about is interested in.

[Asker]

My guy friend said “I’ve always cared about you” to me randomly when he stuffed his face with his burger lol.
I didn’t know how to take it

[Paradoxicfox]

Ohhh alot! That person is an fing coward/ narcissist

[Darkstar1]

Only thing I can say is nothing really it's just how they say it

[TinaSP]

Both ways are a lame excuse to friendzone you

[Asker]

My guy friend said “I’ve always cared about you” to me randomly when he stuffed his face with his burger lol.
I didn’t know how to take it. But I have a man so he’s already friend zoned lol

[TinaSP]

So it means nothing or he will eventually try to fudge you. Watch out girl

[Anonymous]

Wtf is this, dont you have nothing else to think about?

[hasrett]

There is no difference.

[Asker]

I was trying to see if one mean friendly or romantic. He said he cares about me randomly the other day.

[Anon-ymous1]

There's no difference between the two.

[Asker]

I was trying to see if one mean friendly or romantic. He said he cares about me randomly the other day.

[Anon-ymous1]

There's no difference between those two you listed.

[TheDomimantOne]

Means the same thing.

[Amur8711]

To me they mean the same.

[Asker]

I was trying to see if one mean friendly or romantic. He said he cares about me randomly the other day.

[Amur8711]

To me, it's more romantic.

[TH3TROLL3R]

I don't know I’m just here for points

[Zak_Viel]

I think you will lose some now 😂

[TH3TROLL3R]

Probably so😂

[Anonymous]

Thats synonims

[Asker]

Is it considered friendly or Romantic?

[Opinion Owner]

Could be both. Depends on context.

[cutiebamm]

Hmmm.

[wade120582]

carring about you means they just want you for ass caring for you they are in it for you not what you can offer