novio y novia
/nobjo i nobja/from spelling rules
The English phrase "boyfriend and girlfriend" is translated into Spanish as novio y novia.
Use novio y novia to describe a couple in a romantic relationship. In many Spanish-speaking cultures, novio and novia are used for long-term dating relationships, whereas in English 'boyfriend/girlfriend' can sometimes imply a more casual status. You can also use the term pareja to mean "partner" when referring to a boyfriend or girlfriend.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 'novio' can mean both 'boyfriend' and 'groom', while 'novia' can mean both 'girlfriend' and 'bride'.
Which one should you use?
While novio y novia refers specifically to the two individuals, novios is the standard way to refer to them as a romantic couple.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, churri can be used as a term of endearment for a partner.
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to the couple as a single unit (the boyfriends/the couple), the masculine plural form novios is used.
Did you know?
- The word novio shares a root with the English word 'novel', as both derive from the Latin word novus meaning 'new'.
- When a couple is married, they transition from being novios to being esposos, but in many regions, it is common to still call a spouse mi novio or mi novia as a romantic gesture.
- While novios means 'boyfriend and girlfriend', adding the prefix ex to create exnovio is the standard way to describe a former partner, regardless of how long ago the relationship ended.
Examples in context
- La hermana de mi novio es muy simpática.My boyfriend's sister is very nice.
- Estoy buscando un regalo para mi novia.I am looking for a gift for my girlfriend.
- ¿Puedo presentarte a mi novia?Can I introduce you to my girlfriend?
- Mi chico es muy cariñoso conmigo.My boyfriend is very affectionate with me.
- ¿Tienes novia o un novio? – No, aún no tengo pareja.Do you have a girlfriend or boyfriend? – No, I don't have a partner yet.
- ¿Son ustedes novio y novia?Are you two boyfriend and girlfriend?
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are talking about some friends at a party.
- Lucía¿Sabes si Juan y Ana son novio y novia?Do you know if Juan and Ana are boyfriend and girlfriend?
- MateoSí, empezaron a salir el mes pasado.Yes, they started dating last month.
- LucíaHacen una pareja muy linda.They make a very cute couple.
- MateoTienes razón, se llevan muy bien.You are right, they get along very well.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries novia, novio, y, CC BY-SA 4.0.
