exnovio
/eɡsˈnobjo/
The English phrase 'ex boyfriend' is translated into Spanish as exnovio.
exnovio refers to a man who was previously in a romantic relationship with someone.
Which one should you use?
While exnovio specifically implies a former boyfriend, the term ex is more versatile and can be used to refer to any former partner regardless of the specific relationship label used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form of exnovio is exnovia. The plural form exnovios can refer to a group of ex-boyfriends or a mixed group of both ex-boyfriends and ex-girlfriends.
How do you pronounce it?
/eɡsˈnobjo/
Did you know?
- The word novio can mean both 'boyfriend' and 'groom'. If a man is described as a novio during a wedding ceremony, he is the groom, not just a romantic partner.
- While exnovio is common, you might hear people refer to a past lover simply as un ex, treating the prefix itself as a standalone noun.
- In Spanish, the prefix ex- is written joined to the word novio without a hyphen, unlike the English 'ex-boyfriend'.
Examples in context
- Tom es el exnovio de Mary.Tom is Mary's ex-boyfriend.This sentence is useful for identifying someone's former boyfriend.Tatoeba #1434187 by marcelostockle, translation #1028546 by CK
- Mi exnovio fue criado en Portugal.My ex-boyfriend was brought up in Portugal.This sentence is useful for mentioning where an exnovio was raised.Tatoeba #1852193 by Shishir, translation #251326 by CN
- Tu exnovio es un imbécil.Your ex-boyfriend is a jerk.This sentence is useful for expressing a negative opinion about an exnovio.Tatoeba #1402367 by enteka, translation #1403502 by CK
- Mi exnovio y yo terminamos nuestra relación el año pasado.My ex boyfriend and I ended our relationship last year.
- Hoy me encontré con mi ex en el centro comercial.Today I ran into my ex at the mall.
- Mi ex me envió un mensaje de cumpleaños.My ex sent me a birthday message.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about relationships at a cafe.
- Alejandro¿Sigues hablando con tu exnovio?Are you still talking to your ex-boyfriend?
- SofíaNo, ya no veo a mi exnovio.No, I don't see my ex-boyfriend anymore.
- AlejandroEs mejor así para ti, Sofía.It is better for you this way, Sofía.
- SofíaSí, estoy más tranquila ahora.Yes, I am calmer now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry exnovio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
