cariño
/kaˈɾiɲo/
The English term "hun" can be translated into Spanish as cariño.
Cariño is an informal term used to mean "darling" or "honey." It is a common way to address romantic partners or close friends to express affection.
Meaning: member of nomadic tribe (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and some other Latin American countries, people use mija and mijo to express affection. These terms are derived from mi hija (my daughter) and mi hijo (my son).
How do you pronounce it?
/kaˈɾiɲo/
When do people say it?
When expressing affection towards a partner or friend, Spanish speakers often use terms of endearment such as cariño or corazón. In certain regions, particularly in Mexico, the terms mija and mijo are frequently used as affectionate address.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, calling a stranger cariño or corazón in a shop or taxi is a common way to be friendly rather than being overly intimate.
- In some contexts, if you describe a person as being cariñoso, you are not just saying they are 'sweet', but specifically that they are 'touchy-feely' or physically demonstrative with affection.
- The word cariño may have originated from the Aragonese word carinyo.
Examples in context
- ¿Cómo estás, cariño?How are you, darling?
- Te quiero, amorI love you, love
- Hola, mi amorHello, my love
- Gracias, corazónThank you, hun
- ¿Cómo estás, mija?How are you, hun?
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are in the kitchen.
- MateoCariño, ¿puedes ayudarme con esto?Hun, can you help me with this?
- ElenaClaro, Mateo. ¿Qué necesitas?Of course, Mateo. What do you need?
- MateoSolo pasa la sal, por favor.Just pass the salt, please.
- ElenaAquí tienes, cariño.Here you go, hun.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cariño, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cariño, CC BY-SA 4.0.
