novio
/ˈnobjo/
The Spanish word novio translates to English as 'boyfriend'.
The term novio can translate to 'boyfriend' or 'partner' in English.
Which one should you use?
While novio can mean 'boyfriend', it also means 'groom' in the context of a wedding.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, mi galán is a slang expression sometimes used instead of novio. In Argentina, mi compañero is commonly used to refer to a male partner. The expression mi media naranja is an idiomatic expression meaning finding your other half or soulmate and is widely used in Spain and Latin America.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form of novio is novia. The masculine plural form novios is used to refer to a romantic couple (boyfriend and girlfriend).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈnobjo/
Did you know?
- The word novio shares its roots with the English word 'novel', as both stem from the Latin 'novus' meaning 'new'.
- While novio is the standard term, some regions use the word pretendiente to describe a man who is courting a woman but is not yet her official novio.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, calling someone mi novio implies a committed relationship, whereas English speakers might use 'boyfriend' for someone they have only dated for a few weeks.
Examples in context
- Mi novio es muy amable.My boyfriend is very kind.
- ¿Conoces a su novio?Do you know her boyfriend?
- Ella presentó a su novio ayer.She introduced her boyfriend yesterday.
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are talking about a party.
- Sofía¿Vas a venir con tu novio?Are you coming with your boyfriend?
- JavierNo, mi novio tiene que trabajar.No, my boyfriend has to work.
- SofíaQué pena, él es muy divertido.That's a shame, he is very funny.
- JavierSí, pero vendré sola entonces.Yes, but I will come alone then.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry novio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries novio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
