Spanish word of the week: cariño - Collins Dictionary Language Blog (2024)

This week’s Spanish word of the week is cariño

Cariño is a noun that means affection. To hear how cariño is pronounced, you can click the icon below.

Spanish word of the week: cariño - Collins Dictionary Language Blog (1)

Lo recuerdo con cariño. I remember him with affection.

Es una muestra de cariño. It is a token of affection.

In Spanish you can say that you ‘have affection for’ somebody, meaning that you’re very fond of them:

Les tengo mucho cariño. I’m very fond of them.

Se tenían mucho cariño. They were very fond of each other.

To say that you become fond of somebody, use tomar cariño a:

Le ha tomado cariño al gato. She has become fond of the cat.

When you’re more than fond of somebody, you can call him or her cariño (darling), but remember – it doesn’t change its ending depending on whether the person you’re speaking to is male or female.

Ven aquí, cariño. Come here, darling.

Come back next week to learn a new word!

Spanish word of the week: cariño - Collins Dictionary Language Blog (2024)

FAQs

What does the slang word Cariño mean? ›

Translation of cariño – Spanish-English dictionary

honey [noun] (especially American) darling (used when speaking to someone one loves). sweetheart [noun] used as an endearment for any beloved person, eg a child. babe [noun] a way of addressing someone you love, such as a husband or wife.

Can I call my girlfriend cariño? ›

When you're more than fond of somebody, you can call him or her cariño (darling), but remember – it doesn't change its ending depending on whether the person you're speaking to is male or female. Ven aquí, cariño. Come here, darling.

What is another word for Carino? ›

Dear” is the best translation for “cariño”. For example, the translation of “Hola cariño!” would be “Hi dear!” If you want to say it to a person, like “hola, cariño” = Hey, love/ sweetie/ dear/ honey, etc. If you wanna say “cariño” as in “dar cariño (a alguien -to someone-) = To coddle, to give love, etc.

Can a guy call a girl cariño? ›

Please note that even though Spanish typically has different words for male and female, in this case it's the same word. You can call your boyfriend/girlfriend “cariño”; but you can also use the same term for your child, or somebody else's child. Basically anybody who you would address, in English, as “my dear”.

Is Cariño romantic to a girl? ›

Spanish Terms of Endearment for Partners

Couples use them everywhere throughout Latin America and Spain. Mi amor ​– my love Page 3 Mi corazón​– my heart/sweetheart (similar to “my love” in English) Cariño/a​– darling/sweetheart/honey Querido/a ​– dear Mi vida​– my life.

What does Cariño mean in love? ›

Translation of cariño – Spanish–English dictionary

honey [noun] (especially American) darling (used when speaking to someone one loves). sweetheart [noun] used as an endearment for any beloved person, eg a child.

What do Latinas call their boyfriends? ›

There are many, many options! These are just some examples “amor”, “mi amor”, “amor mío”, “amorcito”, “mi vida”, “mi cielo”, “mi tesoro”. I have a Mexico born boyfriend.

Can you call a friend cariño? ›

7. Cariño. As you can see, “cariño” is the equivalent of several love words in English. You can use it to refer to loved ones, regardless of their gender or identity.

Who says cariño? ›

"Cariño" is a Spanish term of endearment that translates to "darling," "sweetheart," or "dear" in English. When someone calls you "cariño," they are expressing affection, warmth, and fondness. It's a term often used between close friends, family members, or romantic partners to convey a sense of closeness and care.

Do people use cariño? ›

Is it common to call a boyfriend or girlfriend "Cariño" in Spanish? Yes. It is a very normal term of endearment. But you'll also hear it from people who are just friends or the occasional shop clerk who thinks you're cute.

Is Cariño always romantic? ›

Cariño is one of the most popular Mexican terms of endearment, but its use is widely extended outside of Mexico too. You can use it to refer to your significant other, but it's also used by parents and grandparents, and even between girlfriends.

What does it mean when a guy calls you a Mija? ›

Mija is a friendly, informal way for Spanish speakers and writers to refer to female friends or romantic partners, especially prevalent among older people to address a younger woman. The term has also extended to female pets.

What does it mean when a guy calls you Nena? ›

Or, “I love you, baby.” A similar word is “nena,” which in some countries means the same as “niña.” Men often call their girlfriends “nena” as a sign of affection. If he's your boss or in a position of authority over you, he shouldn't call you Niña, because you are his employee, not his friend or girlfriend.

Does Carino mean cute? ›

adjective. /ka'rino/ cute , pretty , good-looking.

Can Cariño be used for friends? ›

You can use it with friends, family, and basically anyone that is close to you. hello, good evening. you can use "CARIÑO" with your friends, childs, family and love.. is a Word with different meanings, depending on the sentence that you use...

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