Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| caramelo | /kaɾaˈmelo/ | masculine |
| dulce | /ˈdulθe/ /ˈdulse/ |
masculine |
| golosina | /ɡoloˈsina/ | feminine |
| chuchería | /t͡ʃut͡ʃeˈɾia/ | feminine |
| chuche | /ˈt͡ʃut͡ʃe/ | Spain, masculine |
| lamín | /lamin/ (from spelling rules) | Spain, masculine |
| golmajería | /ɡolmaxeˈɾia/ | Spain, feminine |
Various words are used to describe candy depending on whether you are talking about hard sweets, general confectionery or small treats. Caramelo refers to candy, though it specifically denotes hard candies or boiled sweets. Golosina is a common term for any kind of confectionery or sweet treat. Dulce can act as a noun meaning candy or as an adjective meaning sweet.
Which one should you use?
While caramelo is a general term for candy, it is most often used for hard candies. In contrast, dulce can function as both a noun for candy and an adjective for the taste of something sweet. Golosina is used more broadly for various types of sweet treats.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In Spain, you may encounter the informal and colloquial term chuche, which is a shortened version of chuchería.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, chuchería refers to small sweets or junk food and the colloquial chuche is also used there. The term lamín is also used in Spain. In Colombia and Venezuela, confites is a common regional word for small sweet treats or confectionery.
How does it change in a sentence?
When Spanish speakers are referring to candy as a general category of food, they often use the plural form los dulces.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaɾaˈmelo/
Did you know?
- The word caramelo traces its ancient roots back to kálamos, the Ancient Greek word for a reed or cane.
- If you call someone a goloso in Spanish, you are not just saying they like candy, but describing them as a 'glutton' or someone with an insatiable sweet tooth.
- The word chuchería contains the suffix -ería, which in Spanish is often used to denote a shop that sells a specific type of good, such as a 'panadería' for bread.
Examples in context
- Me gustan los dulces.I like candy.This sentence shows how to express a general preference for sweets using dulce.Tatoeba #945732 by hayastan, translation #2745135 by CK
- Tom se comió tus dulces.Tom ate your candy.This sentence illustrates the use of dulce when referring to someone eating candy.Tatoeba #4505688 by cueyayotl, translation #1847700 by CK
- ¿Tiene caramelos de menta?Do you have any peppermint candy?This sentence demonstrates how to ask about a specific type of hard candy using caramelo.Tatoeba #2258159 by hayastan, translation #2258158 by _undertoad
- Me encantan los dulces.I love candy.
- En la fiesta habrá golosinas para los niños.There will be candy for the children at the party.
- ¡Mamá, me encantan los caramelos!Mom, I love candy!
- ¿Me comprarías algunas chucherías en la tienda?Would you buy me some candy from the store?
- 54 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are sitting in a living room.
- Lucía¿Quieres un caramelo, Javier?Do you want a candy, Javier?
- JavierNo, gracias, Lucía.No, thank you, Lucía.
- LucíaEs un caramelo de fresa.It is a strawberry candy.
- JavierEstá bien, dame uno.Alright, give me one.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “candy” translations and entries caramelo, dulce, golosina, chuchería, chuche, golmajería, 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 caramelo, chuchería, dulce, golosina, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
