In quantum deformation, most of the mathematical properties of Lie algebras we use to describe exact symmetries are saved. For this reason, we propose that quantum algebras can be used to describe approximate symmetries instead of spontaneous symmetry breaking or perturbative methods where the breaking is essentially arbitrary. Around each Lie algebra a one-parameter family of operators is thus realized, starting from the corresponding quantum algebra. So, approximate symmetry is related to non-additive physical quantities and to an interaction contribution to them.