ternura
/teɾˈnuɾa/feminine
The English phrase 'tenderness' translates to Spanish as ternura. If unsure, use ternura. Wiktionary also lists terneza.
Meaning: a tendency to express warm, compassionate feelings (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ternura | /teɾˈnuɾa/ | feminine |
| terneza | /teɾˈneθa/ /teɾˈnesa/ |
feminine |
ternura refers to a tendency to express warm, compassionate feelings. To express the adverb 'tenderly', Spanish often uses the prepositional phrase con ternura.
Which one should you use?
While ternura refers to emotional tenderness or affection, terneza is a more formal and literary term used to describe physical softness or delicacy.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective form of ternura is tierno for masculine nouns and tierna for feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/teɾˈnuɾa/
When do people say it?
You can use the word corazón as an endearing nickname for sweetheart, or the word cielito as an endearing nickname for darling. In informal settings, cariñito is an affectionate diminutive form of cariño that adds a touch of cuteness.
Did you know?
- While ternura describes an emotion, the adjective tierno is also the standard word used to describe meat that is juicy and easy to chew.
- In Spanish, a person can be described as tierno to mean they are 'sweet', but it can also be used mockingly to call someone 'naive' or 'soft'.
- The word terneza is so rare in daily conversation that using it might make you sound like a character from a nineteenth-century romantic novel.
Examples in context
- Ella es la ternura personificada.She is tenderness personified.This sentence shows how to describe someone personifying tenderness using ternura.Tatoeba #994917 by Shishir, translation #10260379 by LimeGreenTeknii
- La miré y vi ternura en sus ojos.I looked at her and saw tenderness in her eyes.This sentence illustrates seeing ternura in someone's eyes.Tatoeba #994920 by Shishir, translation #6108900 by OjisanSeiuchi
- En obras literarias, el galán de noche muchas veces simboliza el anhelo y la ternura.In literary works, night-blooming jasmine is often used to symbolize longing and tenderness.This sentence shows how ternura can be used in a literary context.Tatoeba #13543229 by frpzzd, translation #13543219 by LeviHighway
- Siempre sentí un gran afecto por tiI have always felt a great tenderness for you
- Me embarga la ternura cuando te veoI am filled with tenderness when I see you
- Hola mi chiquitaHello my little one
- ¡Te quiero mucho, mi vida!I love you so much, my life!
- Eres el amor de mi vidaYou are the love of my life
Example conversation
Javier and María are talking about their new puppy.
- JavierMira cómo duerme, me llena de ternura.Look at how he sleeps, he fills me with tenderness.
- MaríaEs verdad, Javier, es un cachorro muy dulce.It is true, Javier, he is a very sweet puppy.
- JavierNunca había sentido tanta ternura por un animal.I had never felt such tenderness for an animal.
- MaríaYo tampoco, es simplemente adorable.Me neither, he is simply adorable.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tenderness” translations and entries ternura, terneza, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
