cielo
/ˈθjelo/
The Spanish word for 'babe' is cielo.
cielo is used as a term of endearment for an attractive person.
Meaning: attractive person (noun)
Which one should you use?
Unlike the English 'babe', which can sometimes be used purely to describe someone's physical attractiveness, cielo carries a much more affectionate and tender connotation.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, it is common to use the phrase Hola cari to mean 'Hello, darling'.
How does it change in a sentence?
A very common way to use this term of endearment in a sentence is by adding the possessive adjective 'mi' to create mi cielo, meaning 'my babe' or 'my darling'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈθjelo/
When do people say it?
In informal settings, people often use phrases like Hola amor to translate to 'Hello, love' when greeting a loved one.
Did you know?
- The word cielo is a cognate of the English word 'ceiling', as both originate from the Latin word for 'sky' or 'heaven'.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, using cielo toward a complete stranger in a service setting is a common way to show warmth and friendliness.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, calling someone mi cielo is not restricted to romantic partners. It is a very common way for parents or grandparents to address children.
Examples in context
- Hola cariño, ¿cómo ha sido tu día?Hello darling, how has your day been?
- Buenos días, querido. Espero que hayas descansado bien.Good morning, darling. I hope you slept well.
- ¡Hola amor! ¿Cómo estás?Hello, love! How are you?
- ¡Buenas! ¿Has tenido un buen día, cielo?Good evening! Have you had a good day, honey?
- Hola cari, ¿vamos a cenar juntos?Hello, darling. Shall we have dinner together?
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are looking at a photo together.
- MaríaMira este chico, es un cielo.Look at this guy, he is a babe.
- Alejandro¡Tienes razón! Es muy guapo.You're right! He is very handsome.
- María¡Es un cielo total!He is a total babe!
- AlejandroSí, es muy atractivo.Yes, he is very attractive.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cielo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cielo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
