cariño
/kaˈɾiɲo/
The English phrase "sugar britches" can be translated into Spanish as cariño.
cariño is an affectionate term of endearment used to address someone you love or care about.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaˈɾiɲo/
Did you know?
- Depending on the country, people may prefer specific variations over cariño, such as cielo meaning 'sky' or 'heaven' to express the same level of intimacy.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, you might hear the term cariño used by service workers towards customers in a friendly, albeit slightly overly familiar, way.
- Though the exact origins are debated, some linguists link cariño to the Aragonese word carinyo, suggesting its roots lie in the ancient dialects of northern Spain.
Examples in context
- Hola, mi cariño, ¿cómo estás?Hello, my darling, how are you?
- Te quiero mucho, cariño.I love you very much, sweetie.
Example conversation
A couple is greeting each other at home after work.
- María¡Hola, cariño! Ya llegué.Hi, honey! I'm home.
- AlejandroBienvenida, María. Te extrañé.Welcome, María. I missed you.
- María¿Me has echado de menos, cariño?Have you missed me, sweetie?
- AlejandroMuchísimo, mi vida.Very much, my life.
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.
