nena
/ˈnena/
The Spanish word for babe is nena.
The term nena is an informal way to address an attractive woman, similar to the English 'babe' or 'baby'. While it can be used as a term of endearment between partners, it is often used colloquially to refer to an attractive woman.
Meaning: attractive person (noun)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
nena is an informal term. If you are looking for an informal term of endearment among friends or loved ones, you might also use Tesoro, which translates to 'treasure'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈnena/
Did you know?
- While nena is common, some regions prefer mami to convey the same 'babe' energy. This uses the word for 'mommy' as a flirtatious term, a linguistic quirk shared with some English-influenced urban slang.
- In some Latin American countries, nena is used by parents or elders to address a daughter regardless of her age. A forty-year-old woman might still be called nena by her mother.
- Calling someone nena in a professional setting or to a stranger can be perceived as condescending or 'machista' in many Spanish-speaking cultures. It is far more risky than using 'babe' in some English dialects.
Examples in context
- Súbete al coche, nena. Vamos a manejar a Madagascar.Get in the car, babe. We're driving to Madagascar.This sentence is useful for seeing how to address someone as nena in a casual conversation.Tatoeba #599057 by darinmex, translation #599053 by FeuDRenais2
- ¡Hola, cariño! ¿Cómo estás hoy?Hello, darling! How are you today?
- Te extraño, amor.I miss you, love.
- ¡Hola, tesoro! ¿Cómo estuvo tu día?Hello, treasure! How was your day?
- Esa nena es muy guapa.That babe is very pretty.
- Mira a esa nena de allá.Look at that babe over there.
Example conversation
Javier greets Lucía at a party.
- JavierHola, nena, te ves increíble.Hello, babe, you look incredible.
- LucíaGracias, Javier. Tú también te ves bien.Thanks, Javier. You look good too.
- Javier¿Quieres bailar conmigo, nena?Do you want to dance with me, babe?
- LucíaClaro, vamos a la pista.Sure, let's go to the dance floor.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry nena, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
