mi cariño
/mi kaɾiɲo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "my sweetie" can be translated into Spanish as mi cariño.
The phrase is a term of endearment used to address a romantic partner or a loved one.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase translates literally to "my affection" or "my care", where cariño means affection or care.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because cariño is a masculine noun, the noun itself is always masculine. The possessive adjective mi remains the same regardless of the gender of the person being addressed.
How do you pronounce it?
/mi kaɾiɲo/
Did you know?
- Although mi cariño is common, many Spanish speakers use cielo ('sky' or 'heaven') or vida ('life') as equivalents to 'my sweetie' to express an even deeper intensity of love.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, a person might call a small child cariño or mi cariño even if there is no romantic connection. It is a versatile term for warmth rather than just romantic love.
- While mi cariño is affectionate, calling someone cariño without the mi can sometimes sound condescending or patronizing depending on the tone.
Examples in context
- ¡Buenos días, mi amor! Espero que tengas un maravilloso día.Good morning, my love! I hope you have a wonderful day.
- Me alegra verte, mi cariño. Eres la luz de mi vida.I'm glad to see you, my dear. You are the light of my life.
- Gracias por estar a mi lado, mi tesoro. Mi vida es mucho más bella contigo.Thank you for being by my side, my treasure. My life is much more beautiful with you.
- Hola, mi amorcito. ¿Cómo has pasado el día?Hello, my sweetie. How has your day been?
- Te extraño mucho, mi cielo. Eres la razón de mi sonrisa.I miss you so much, my sweetheart. You are the reason for my smile.
- Gracias por todo tu apoyo, mi vida. Eres el motor que impulsa mis sueños.Thank you for all your support, my love. You are the driving force behind my dreams.
- Hola, mi cariño, ¿cómo estás?Hello, my sweetie, how are you?
- Te extrañaba mucho, mi cariño.I missed you a lot, my sweetie.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are greeting each other at home after work.
- Elena¡Hola, mi cariño! Ya llegué.Hello, my sweetie! I'm home.
- MateoBienvenida, Elena. Te extrañé.Welcome, Elena. I missed you.
- Elena¿Tuviste un buen día, Mateo?Did you have a good day, Mateo?
- MateoSí, fue un día muy tranquilo.Yes, it was a very quiet day.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
