mi niño bonito
/mi niɲo bonito/from spelling rules
The English phrase "my pretty boy" is translated into Spanish as mi niño bonito.
mi niño bonito is an affectionate term used to address either a young boy or a male partner. When used for an adult male, the phrase carries a highly affectionate, often romantic or flirtatious connotation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of mi (my), niño (boy) and bonito (pretty/handsome).
Which one should you use?
While bonito means pretty or cute, the alternative mi niño guapo (my handsome boy) uses guapo, which is more specifically used to refer to physical attractiveness in adults.
How do you pronounce it?
/mi niɲo bonito/
Did you know?
- The word niño shares an imitative, infantile origin with English words such as 'nanny' and 'nun'.
- The word bonito is also the name of a type of fish. It was likely named this because of its attractive appearance.
- The word bonito is actually a 'miniature' version of the word bueno (good). It was created by adding the diminutive suffix -ito to change 'good' into 'pretty'.
Examples in context
- Juan, mi lindo chico, siempre alegras mi día.Juan, my pretty boy, you always brighten up my day.
- ¡Hola mi chico guapo! ¿Listo para nuestra cita?Hey my handsome boy! Ready for our date?
- Eres mi niño bonito.You are my pretty boy.
- Ven aquí, mi niño bonito.Come here, my pretty boy.
- Todo estará bien, mi niño bonito.Everything will be fine, my pretty boy.
Example conversation
Elena is comforting Mateo at home.
- ElenaNo llores, mi niño bonito.Don't cry, my pretty boy.
- MateoGracias, Elena.Thank you, Elena.
- ElenaTe quiero mucho.I love you very much.
- MateoYo también te quiero.I love you too.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bonito, mi, niño, CC BY-SA 4.0.
