Which one should you use?
While mi crush is a direct loanword from English, you can also use the more traditional phrase mi amor platónico to refer to an idealized or unrequited crush. For a more natural and common way to express this without using English, you can say el que me gusta when referring to a male or la que me gusta when referring to a female.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
mi crush is an informal phrase used primarily by younger generations. If you want to be more traditional, you might use mi amor platónico or use the natural phrasing el chico que me gusta or la chica que me gusta in informal conversation.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun crush is treated as a masculine noun in Spanish, even when you are referring to a woman, though some speakers may use mi crush as a gender-neutral term.
How do you pronounce it?
/mi kɾus/
Did you know?
- Spanish speakers sometimes use the verb crushear to describe the act of having a crush on someone, treating the English noun as a Spanish verb root.
- The term amor platónico is used in Spanish to describe a crush that is impossible, whereas in English 'platonic' usually describes a friendship devoid of romance.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the phrase mi crush is used not just for people but also for objects, brands or fictional characters that someone is obsessed with.
Examples in context
- Durante la conferencia, conocí a una persona encantadora, mi flechazo instantáneo.During the conference, I met a charming person, my instant crush.
- Tengo dificultades para concentrarme en el trabajo porque siempre estoy pensando en la persona que me gusta.I have difficulty concentrating at work because I am always thinking about the person I like.
- Siempre he considerado a Juanita como mi amor platónico desde que la conocí en el colegio.I have always considered Juanita to be my platonic love since I met her in school.
- No puedo dejar de pensar en el chico que me gusta, ¡es tan divertido!I can't stop thinking about the boy I like, he is so much fun!
- Él es mi crush.He is my crush.
- No puedo hablar con mi crush.I cannot talk to my crush.
- ¿Viste a mi crush en la fiesta?Did you see my crush at the party?
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are talking about their secrets.
- LucíaTengo que confesarte algo sobre mi crush.I have to confess something to you about my crush.
- Javier¿Quién es esa persona, Lucía?Who is that person, Lucía?
- LucíaEs alguien que conociste el año pasado.It is someone you met last year.
- JavierAhora tengo mucha curiosidad.Now I am very curious.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
