novio
/ˈnobjo/masculine
The Spanish word for boyfriend is novio. Wiktionary also lists pololo and chongo.
Meaning: male partner in a romantic relationship (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| novio | /ˈnobjo/ | masculine |
| pololo | /poˈlolo/ | Chile, masculine |
| chongo | /ˈt͡ʃonɡo/ | Argentina, masculine |
| jevo | /xebo/ (from spelling rules) | Latin America, masculine |
| gebo | /xebo/ (from spelling rules) | Puerto Rico, masculine |
The term is used to refer to a male partner in a romantic relationship. For a more formal and inclusive way to refer to a partner or significant other, you can use pareja.
Which one should you use?
Depending on the context, novio can mean either 'boyfriend' or 'fiancé'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Chile, the word pololo is used to refer to a boyfriend. In Argentina, chongo is a slang term for boyfriend. In Puerto Rico, gebo is used, while jevo is used in Latin America.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form of novio is novia.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈnobjo/
Did you know?
- The Chilean word pololo is borrowed from the Mapudungun word püḻülu, which literally means 'acting like a fly'.
- If you use the word chongo in certain parts of Latin America, you might be referring to a 'boyfriend', but in other contexts, it can refer to a hairstyle or a messy hair bun.
- While novio can mean 'boyfriend', it is also the standard term for a 'groom' on his wedding day.
Examples in context
- ¿No era tu novio?Wasn't he your boyfriend?This sentence is useful for asking if someone was a novio.Tatoeba #1686607 by Shishir, translation #1667035 by Spamster
- ¿Tom es tu novio?Tom is your boyfriend?Tatoeba #3135478 by marcelostockle, translation #3068269 by Hybrid
- Su novio es turco.Her boyfriend is Turkish.This sentence is useful for describing a novio.Tatoeba #571808 by Shishir, translation #1502830 by CN
- Mi novio me llevó a cenar en un restaurante elegante.My boyfriend took me out to dinner at a fancy restaurant.
- Mi novio y yo vamos al cine esta noche.My boyfriend and I are going to the movies tonight.
- Mi chico y yo vamos a salir a pasear el sábado.My guy and I are going for a walk on Saturday.
- Mi enamorado me hizo un regalo muy especial.My beloved gave me a very special gift.
- 218 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are talking about a party.
- MaríaVas a venir con tu novio?Are you coming with your boyfriend?
- AlejandroNo, mi novio tiene que trabajar.No, my boyfriend has to work.
- MaríaQué pena, me cae muy bien.That's a shame, I like him a lot.
- AlejandroGracias, yo le diré.Thanks, I will tell him.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “boyfriend” translations and entries novio, pololo, chongo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chongo, novio, pololo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
