Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| dulces | /ˈdulθes/ /ˈdulses/ |
| caramelos | /kaɾamelos/ (from spelling rules) |
| chucherías | /t͡ʃut͡ʃeɾias/ (from spelling rules) |
In Spanish, various terms are used to describe sugary treats depending on the specific type of confectionery you are referring to. Dulces is the most general term and covers any type of sugary confection. Caramelos is more specific, referring to hard candies or boiled sweets. Chucherías refers to sweets that are often small, cheap or considered junk-food style treats.
Which one should you use?
Use dulces when you want to be general about any sugary food. Use caramelos specifically when you mean hard candies. Use chucherías to describe small, inexpensive snacks or confectionery-style junk food.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Chucherías is an informal term used in Spain and parts of Latin America.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun dulces (sweets) shares the same root as the adjective dulce, which means 'sweet'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈdulθes/
Did you know?
- Many traditional Spanish dulces are designed to be 'convent sweets', recipes created by nuns in enclosed convents and sold to the public over a window.
- In some Latin American countries, the word golosinas is the preferred term for chucherías or candy, and it stems from the verb golosear, meaning to eat sweets greedily.
- In many Latin American countries, if you ask for chucherías, you might actually be asking for 'junk food' or 'snacks' like chips or savory crackers rather than just sugary sweets.
Examples in context
- Me gustan los dulces.I like sweets.This sentence is useful for expressing a preference for dulces.Tatoeba #945732 by hayastan, translation #1229021 by sundown
- Me gusta comer dulces.I like to eat sweets.This sentence is useful for expressing the habit of eating dulces.Tatoeba #521862 by Shishir, translation #706359 by bferrant
- No me gustan estos dulces.I don't like these sweets.This sentence is useful for expressing a dislike for specific dulces.Tatoeba #1998707 by Shishir, translation #1867354 by sundown
- En la fiesta había una gran variedad de dulces para disfrutar.There was a wide variety of sweets to enjoy at the party.
- En el restaurante, te recomendaría probar sus exquisitos postres caseros.At the restaurant, I would recommend trying their exquisite homemade desserts.
- Voy a la tienda a comprar algunas chucherías para disfrutar en el cine.I'm going to the store to buy some sweets to enjoy at the movies.
- A los niños les encantan las golosinas que reparten en las piñatas de las fiestas.Children love the candies they distribute in party piñatas.
- 42 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are at a birthday party.
- Elena¡Mira cuántos dulces hay aquí!Look how many sweets there are here!
- MateoSon muy coloridos, Elena.They are very colorful, Elena.
- Elena¿Me das uno de esos dulces?Will you give me one of those sweets?
- MateoClaro, toma uno, Elena.Of course, take one, Elena.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sweets” translations and entries dulces, caramelos, chucherías, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
