cariño
/kaˈɾiɲo/
The Spanish phrase for honeybunch is cariño.
cariño is used as a term of endearment between romantic partners, close friends or by adults to children.
Which one should you use?
While cariño can mean 'affection' as a noun, when used as a direct address like 'honeybunch', it functions as a term of endearment. Other informal terms of endearment include the diminutive Cariñito, which means honey or sweetie and Cielito, which means my little heaven. You can also use Media naranja, which translates to half of an orange, to refer to someone as your other half or better half.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaˈɾiɲo/
Did you know?
- The word cariño is occasionally used sarcastically in arguments to mimic a fake sweetness, similar to how an English speaker might use 'honey' or 'sweetie' during a confrontation.
- While cariño is widely accepted, calling a stranger cariño in a shop or market is common in Spain but may be seen as overly familiar or patronizing in some Latin American countries.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, adding the suffix -ito to any noun, such as cariñito, doesn't just mean 'small' but serves to increase the emotional warmth of the word.
Examples in context
- Gracias, cariño, por tu apoyo incondicional.Thank you, darling, for your unconditional support.
- Te extraño, cariñito. Vuelve pronto a casa.I miss you, honey. Come back home soon.
- Hola, cariño, ¿cómo estás?Hello, honeybunch, how are you?
- Te quiero mucho, cariño.I love you very much, honeybunch.
- No te preocupes, cariño.Don't worry, honeybunch.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are talking in their living room.
- AlejandroHola, cariño, ya llegué.Hello, honeybunch, I'm home.
- ElenaBienvenido, Alejandro.Welcome, Alejandro.
- Alejandro¿Qué tal tu día, Elena?How was your day, Elena?
- ElenaFue un día muy largo.It was a very long day.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cariño, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
