hola cariño
/ola kaɾiɲo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "hey pookie" can be translated into Spanish as hola cariño.
This phrase serves as an affectionate greeting used for a romantic partner or a very close friend.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Andalusia, the colloquial phrase ¡Hola, Churri! is typically used to address someone affectionately, similar to saying "Hey, Honey".
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, cariño is used by strangers in service industries, such as a shopkeeper addressing a customer, in a way that would feel inappropriately intimate in English.
- The word hola may have originated from a French command meaning 'stop!', which evolved from a Germanic call used to hail ferrymen.
- If you use cariño in a sarcastic tone, it can transform from an affectionate greeting into a condescending way to dismiss someone during an argument.
Examples in context
- Hola cariño, ¿cómo estás?Hey pookie, how are you?
- Hola cariño, te extrañé mucho.Hey pookie, I missed you a lot.
- ¡Hola cariño! Qué bueno verte.Hey pookie! It's good to see you.
Example conversation
Sofía greets Mateo when he arrives at her house.
- SofíaHola cariño, ¿qué tal tu día?Hey pookie, how was your day?
- MateoFue un día muy largo, Sofía.It was a very long day, Sofía.
- SofíaVen, descansa un poco.Come, rest for a bit.
- MateoGracias, eres muy amable.Thanks, you are very kind.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cariño, hola, CC BY-SA 4.0.
