Cariño
affectionate, any gender
To call a girl "darling", say cariño or querida. Cariño stays the same for men and women, while querida ends in -a for a woman. It is also called Mi amor and Cielo.
Meaning: term of endearment (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| Cariño | affectionate, any gender |
| Querida | feminine, warm |
| Mi amor | romantic |
| Cielo | affectionate |
Which one should you use?
Querida is also how a letter starts, like "Dear". Cariño and mi amor are spoken tenderly and belong with partners and family.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Cariño is especially common in Spain. In Latin America mi amor and mi vida are used just as often, even between parents and children.
How does it change in a sentence?
Mi amor and cariño do not change with gender. Querida becomes querido for a man. Spanish pet names often follow mi as in mi cielo, "my sky".
Did you know?
- Spanish letters traditionally open with Querido or Querida followed by the name, much as English letters open with "Dear".
Examples in context
- Hola, cariño, ¿qué tal el día?Hello, darling, how was your day?
- Querida Laura, te escribo para saludarte.Dear Laura, I am writing to say hello.
- Gracias, mi amor.Thank you, my love.
Example conversation
Pablo welcomes his wife Rosa home after work.
- PabloHola, cariño. ¿Cómo te fue?Hello, darling. How did it go?
- RosaCansada, pero bien.Tired but fine.
- PabloSiéntate, ya está la cena.Sit down, dinner is ready.
