107 charming, weird and wonderful Spanish terms of endearment

You simply cannot communicate with Spanish speakers without using terms of endearment in Spanish.

If you’ve been learning Spanish for a little while, you’ve probably noticed that Spanish speakers love their terms of endearment. Spanish and Latin American cultures tend to be much warmer than those that speak Germanic languages, so this may come as a bit of a culture shock to you if you’re a native English speaker.

Terms of endearment are so important, in fact, that not using one can be considered rude in certain contexts. Learning a language also involves understanding the cultural sensitivities as well as norms and traditions, so this vocabulary list will give you many insights into Spanish speaking cultures.

And the best part? Affectionate words in Spanish are extremely customizable. In fact, we’ll teach you a couple of ways to turn any Spanish word into a term of endearment at the end of this blog.

Ready to get started? ¡Vamos, mis amores!

Terms of endearment in Spanish

Learning the terms of affection and fondness will take some practice, but you can master them in no time with enough perseverance. Just make sure you know when and with whom to use each term and you’ll be on your way to native fluency!

We’ll include some context for each term of endearment so you don’t have to worry about making a faux-pas. The last thing you want is to call your real mom your mamacita or something that would seem off-putting!

General terms of endearment

Spanish speaking cultures tend to be very indirect. That is, instead of showing their affection directly, they will show their love and affection through roundabout ways.

One of the most common ways to show love in Spanish is by referring to someone with an adjective. Things like “hey beautiful” or “hi cutie” can sound a little corny in English, but in Spanish, they’re totally acceptable ways to refer to a close friend or a romantic interest without telling them directly that you like them (romantically or not).

Check out the words below and feel free to combine them with a Spanish greeting or an adiós in Spanish.

English	Spanish	IPA Spelling	Pronunciation
Beautiful	Hermoso/hermosa	ɛɾˈmoso/ɛɾˈmosa	Er-mo-sa
Handsome	Guapo/guapa	ˈɡwapo/ˈɡwapa	Goo-ah-po/goo-ah-pa
Pretty	Bonito/bonita	boˈnito/boˈnita	Bo-nee-toh/bo-nee-tah
Pretty, cute	Lindo/linda	ˈlĩndo/ˈlĩnda	Leen-do/leen-da
Beautiful	Bello/bella	ˈbeʝo/ˈbeʝa	Be-yo/be-ya
Dear	Cariño	kaˈɾiɲo	Ca-ree-nio/ca-ree-nia
Blonde	Güero/güera	ˈɡwɛɾo/ˈɡwɛɾa	goo-eh-ro/goo-eh-rah
Precious	Precioso/preciosa	pɾeˈsjoso/pɾeˈsjosa	Pray-see-oh-so/pray-see-oh-sa
Cute	Chulo/chula	ˈʧulo/ˈʧula	Choo-lo/choo-la
Babe (female)	Nena	ˈnena	Nay-na
Babe (male)	Nene	ˈnene	Nay-ne
Heart	Corazón	koɾaˈsõn	Coh-rah-son
Yankee	Gringo/gringa	ˈɡɾĩnɡo/ˈɡɾĩnɡa	green-go/green-gah

Terms of endearment in Spanish for boyfriend, girlfriend and romantic interests

Many people choose to learn Spanish in order to communicate with their partner. Others choose to learn Spanish so they can live in Spanish speaking countries. And if you’re single and move to a Spanish speaking country, you’ll very likely want to mingle!

Below, we’ll show you a few dozen cute names you can call your significant other, a person you’re seeing, or even someone you’re trying to woo. Many of these are terms of affection in Spanish for boyfriend or girlfriend, whereas others are only appropriate for casual encounters, so save the drama and make sure you read the context column!

English	Spanish	IPA Spelling	Pronunciation	Context
Love	Amor	aˈmoɾ	ah-more	Very close friends, family or lover
Little love	Amorcito	amoɾˈsito	ah-more-see-toe	Very close friends, family or lover
Daddy	Papi	ˈpapi	pah-pee	Romantic unless used with your literal dad or a child
Mommy	Mami	ˈmami	mah-me	Romantic unless used with your literal mom or a child
Dear	Querido/querida	kɛˈɾiðo/kɛˈɾiða	kay-ree-doh/kay-ree-dah	Warm and casual
Baby	Bebé	beˈβe	beh-beh	Can be used romantically and platonically
King	Rey	ˈrei̯	ray	Can be used with a (male) romantic partner or with boys
Queen	Reina	ˈrei̯na	ray-nah	Can be used with a (female) romantic partner or with girls
Mommy	Mamacita	mamaˈsita	mah-mah-see-tah	Romantic only, may be a bit vulgar
Fat	Gordo/gorda	ˈɡoɾðo/ˈɡoɾða	gore-doh/gore-dah	Cutesy way to call your partner (even if not fat)
Skinny	Flaco/flaca	ˈflako/ˈflaka	flah-coh/flah-cah	Cutesy way to call your partner (even if not skinny)
Curly hair	Ricitos	riˈsitos	ree-see-toes	Only applicable for someone with curly hair
Tiny	Pichurri	piˈʧuri	pee-choo-ree	Mostly used in Spain
Babe	Nenita	neˈnita	nay-knee-tah	Romantic
Doll	Muñeco/muñeca	muˈɲeko/muˈɲeka	moo-nye-coh/moo-nye-cah	Romantic
Marshmallow	Bombón	bõmˈbõn	bom-bon	Romantic
Cutie	Lindura	lĩnˈduɾa	lin-due-rah	Romantic
My life	Vida mía	ˈbiða ˈmia	vee-da me-ah	Romantic or platonic with very close friends/family
Caramel	Caramelo	kaɾaˈmelo	car-ah-meh-loh	Romantic
Biscuit	Bizcocho	bisˈkoʧo	bees-coh-cho	Romantic, may have sexual connotations
Nymph	Ninfa	ˈnĩmfa	neen-fah	Romantic, may have sexual connotations
Sweetness	Dulzura	dulˈsuɾa	dull-sue-rah	Romantic
My tiger	Mi tigre	mi ˈtiɣɾe	me tee-gray	Used romantically for men only
Sugar	Azúcar	aˈsukaɾ	ah-sue-car	Romantic
My light	Mi luz	​​mi ˈlus	me looz	Romantic or platonic with very close friends/family
My other half	Mi media naranja	mi ˈmeðja naˈɾãnxa	me meh-dee-ah nah-rahn-ha	Exclusively romantic
My soul	Mi alma	mj ˈalma	me all-mah	Romantic or platonic with very close friends/family
Party	Runga	ˈrũnɡa	roon-gah	Casual
Little bear	Osito	oˈsito	oh-see-toe	Casual, used for men
Little cake	Pastelito	pasteˈlito	pass-tay-lee-toh	Romantic unless used with children
Little eyes	Ojitos	oˈxitos	oh-he-toes	Romantic, used for someone with striking eyes
Melon heart	Corazón de melón	koɾaˈsõn de meˈlõn	coh-rah-son deh meh-lon	Exclusively romantic

Terms of endearment in Spanish for family

Just as in English, you can very well refer to your family by their names in relation to you. However, what fun is there in that? Family is extremely important in Spanish speaking countries, so calling your family by their proper name may come across as cold and distant.

Instead, use some of these affectionate terms to sound like a true Spanish native speaker and nurture your relationships with your family!

English	Spanish	IPA Spelling	Pronunciation	Context
Boss	Jefe/jefa	ˈxefe/ˈxefa	he-feh/he-fah	For parents
Senior	Viejo/vieja	ˈbjexo/ˈbjexa	vee-eh-ho/vee-eh-ha	For parents
Boss	Patrón/Patrona	paˈtɾõn/paˈtɾona	pah-tron/pah-troh-nah	For parents
Mom	Ma	ˈma	ma	For mom
Dad	Pa	ˈpa	pa	For dad
Brother/sister	Manito/manita	maˈnito/maˈnita	mah-knee-toe/mah-knee-tah	For siblings, abbreviation of hermanito
Sister-in-law	Cuñis	ˈkuɲis	coo-nys	Used for sister-in-law, abbreviation of cuñada
Little bunny	Conejito/conejita	koneˈxito/koneˈxita	coh-nay-he-toe/coh-nay-he-tah	Used for kids, grandkids
Grandma	Abue	ˈaβwe	ah-boo-eh	Used for grandma or grandpa
My sun	Mi sol	mi ˈsol	me sol	Used for kids, grandkids
My little child	Mijito/Mijita	miˈxito/miˈxita	me-he-toe/me-he-tah	Used for kids, grandkids

Terms of endearment in Spanish for friends

If you’ve just arrived in a Spanish speaking country, you may be surprised to find out just how many different Spanish terms of endearment for friends there are. The quintessential amigo will only get you so far, so make sure to learn a few more terms of affection in Spanish for friends to switch it up!

Many of these are not just reserved for friends, and even strangers could use some of these with you on the street. This is because, in many Spanish speaking countries, the standard rule is to treat everyone as if they were your friends. So don’t be surprised if a complete stranger calls you one of these!

English	Spanish	IPA Spelling	Pronunciation	Context
Dude	Wey	ˈwei̯	way	Most common in Mexico, can be gender neutral with close friends
Friend	Parce	ˈpaɾse	par-say	Most common in Northern South America
Little friend	Parcerito	paɾsɛˈɾito	par-say-re-toe	Most common in Northern South America
Bro	Bro	ˈbɾo	bro	Pronounced the same as English
Friend	Compa	ˈkõmpa	come-pah	Used for friends
Cousin	Primo/prima	ˈpɾimo/ˈpɾima	pre-mo/pre-ma	Used for close friends
Bro	Mano/mana	ˈmano/ˈmana	mah-no/mah-nah	Used for close friends
Twin	Cuate/cuata	ˈkwate/ˈkwata	coo-ah-teh/coo-ah-tah	Used for close friends
Brother	Carnal/carnala	kaɾˈnal kaɾˈnala	car-nal/car-nah-lah	Used for close friends
Guy/girl	Muchacho/muchacha	muˈʧaʧo muˈʧaʧa	moo-cha-cho/moo-cha-cha	Used for strangers
Dude	Ese	ˈese	eh-seh	Used mostly by Chicanos in the United States
Friend	Pana	ˈpana	pah-nah	Used for friends
Crazy	Loco/loca	ˈloko/ˈloka	loh-coh/loh-cah	Used for close friends
Countryman	Paisa	ˈpai̯sa	pah-e-sah	Used for friends, also to refer to people from your same country
Uncle	Tío	ˈtio	tee-oh	Used the same as “dude” in Spain
Dude	Vato	ˈbato	vah-toh	Used the same as “dude” in Mexico
Brother-in-law/sister-in-law	Cuñado/cuñada	kuˈɲaðo kuˈɲaða	coo-nya-do/coo-nya-dah	Used for very close friends, even if not related by law
Black	Negro/negra	ˈneɣɾo ˈneɣɾa	neh-gro/neh-grah	Used for people with darker skin
Chinese	Chino/china	ˈʧino ˈʧina	chee-no/chee-na	Used for people with small eyes, not necessarily Chinese
Bald	Pelón/pelona	peˈlõn peˈlona	peh-lon/peh-lo-nah	Used for bald people
Guy/girl	Chico/chica	ˈʧiko ˈʧika	chee-coh/chee-cah	Used for acquaintances
Great guy/great girl	Tipazo/tipaza	tiˈpaso tiˈpasa	tee-pah-so/tee-pah-sa	Used for people you consider to be amazing. Doesn’t have to be a close friend
Colleague	Colega	koˈleɣa	coh-leh-gah	Used for coworkers

Terms of endearment in Spanish for children

Children are often the most common receivers of terms of endearment. Even their names are often modified with a diminutive to show warmth and friendliness towards them. Even if you’ve never met the child before, you can use these terms for children without issue.

There’s no context column in this section because all of these can be used with children. Yes, you can call a child mijo even if he is not your son! Just keep an eye out for gender distinctions with children, as they’ll surely correct you if you don’t use the correct gender!

English	Spanish	IPA Spelling	Pronunciation
My son/my daughter	Mijo/mija	mixoˈmixa	me-ho/me-ha
Angel	Ángel	ˈãnxɛl	an-hell
Treasure	Tesoro	teˈsoɾo	teh-so-roh
My boy/girl	Mi niño/niña	mi niɲoˈniɲa	me knee-nyo/me knee-nya
Small child	Chiquillo/chiquilla	ʧikiʝoʧiˈkiʝa	chee-key-yo/chee-key-ya
Monkey	Chango	ˈʧãnɡo	chan-go
Short one	Chaparrito	ʧapaˈrito	cha-pa-ree-toh
My life	Mi vida	mi ˈβiða	me vee-dah
My ski	Mi cielo	mi ˈsjelo	me see-eh-lo
Teenager	Gurí/gurisa	ɡuˈɾiɣuɾisa	goo-ree/goo-ree-sa
Prince	Príncipe	ˈpɾĩnsipe	preen-see-peh
Princess	Princesa	pɾĩnˈsesa	preen-seh-sah
Small one	Chiquito/chiquita	ʧikitoʧiˈkita	chee-key-toh/chee-key-tah
Little chicken	Pollito	poˈʝito	poh-yee-toh
Puppy	Cachorrito/cachorrita	kaʧoritokaʧoˈrita	cah-cho-ree-toh/cah-cho-ree-tah
Little dove	Palomita	paloˈmita	pah-lo-me-tah
Child	Buqui	ˈbuki	boo-key
Child	Peque	ˈpeke	peh-kay
Cheeks	Cachetes	kaˈʧɛtes	cah-che-tess
Little worm	Gusanito	ɡusaˈnito	goo-sah-knee-toe
Little bubble	Burbujita	buɾβuˈxita	boor-boo-he-tah
Precious	Pechocho/pechocha	peʧoʧopeˈʧoʧa	peh-cho-cho/peh-cho-cha
Champion	Campeón	kãmpeˈõn	cam-peh-on
Small one	Chiquitín	ʧikiˈtĩn	chee-key-teen
Little monkey	Monito/monita	monitomoˈnita	mo-knee-toe/moh-knee-tah
Little bug	Bichito	biˈʧito	bee-chee-toe
Little bean	Frijolito	fɾixoˈlito	free-ho-lee-toh
Flea	Pulga	ˈpulɣa	pool-gah

How to use diminutives as terms of endearment in Spanish

One of the most popular ways to show endearment is through the use of diminutives. These can even be used on inanimate objects, so you can show endearment towards a thing just by turning the word into a diminutive!

This is one of the easiest ways to turn any word you’d like into a diminutive. If you have a special person in mind and want to call them by something other than the words outlined above, you can easily do so by turning any word into a diminutive.

How to turn a word into a diminutive in Spanish

Turning Spanish words into diminutives is incredibly easy. All you need to do is add a suffix to your Spanish word to turn it into an affectionate diminutive.

All diminutives end in one of the following:

• ito
• ita
• cito
• cita

To know which one to use, simply take a look at the following table:

Words that end in	Turn into diminutive	Examples
A O	Remove the last vowel and replace with -ito or -ita	Casa → Casita Carro → Carrito Perro→ Perrito
E N R	Add -cito or -cito at the end	Campeón → Campeoncito Café → Cafecito Corazón → Corazoncito
All other consonants	Add -ito or -ita at the end	Ángel → Angelito Pastel → Pastelito Reloj → Relojito

Of course, there are some exceptions (as is usually the case with Spanish!), but the table above should help you get started with turning regular nouns into diminutives! Now you can turn almost any word into a term of endearment in Spanish by turning it into a diminutive.

How to use possessive pronouns as terms of endearment in Spanish

Another common way to show warmth and appreciation is to use a possessive pronoun (mi, tu, nuestro). If you’re not familiar with Spanish pronouns, feel free to check out our exhaustive guide on the topic before you keep scrolling!

Using possessive pronouns before your term of endearment can be a great way to show closeness to someone (not necessarily possession!). This can work with most nouns and virtually all the terms of endearment in this blog. Here are some examples:

• Mi vida
• Mi rey
• Mi cielo
• Mi corazón
• Mi amigo

You can even turn people’s names into terms of endearment by adding a mi in front of their name! So instead of saying “Hola, George” you can say “Hola, mi George” to show warmth and appreciation!

Terms of endearment in Spanish FAQs

Why do Latinos nickname everyone?

Most Latin American countries are very warm. As such, words of endearment are not only common, but almost expected. You can even use words of endearment when talking to strangers or people you just met.

Another reason why words of affection and fondness are so common is that you can turn almost any word into a term of endearment in Spanish. Just make it a diminutive or use a possessive pronoun to turn your favorite noun into a term of endearment!

What is ese in Spanish?

Ese is a term of endearment used mostly by Chicanos in the United States to refer to friends or acquaintances. It is used very similarly to English words like “dude” or “bro” or even “homie.”

The word ese literally means “that one,” so by calling someone ese you’re essentially calling them the one!

How do you say bae in Spanish?

While there is no direct translation of bae in Spanish, there are many different terms of endearment that can fit the bill just as well! Next time you want to use a cutesy term of endearment for your bae in Spanish, try using one of the following words:

For guys:

• Papi
• Nene
• Hombre

For girls:

• Mami
• Nena
• Mujer

Gender neutral:

• Mi amor
• Mi vida
• Corazón

¡Adiós, mis amores!

If you’ve made it to the end of this blog, you’re now more than ready to strengthen your relationships with your Spanish speaking friends, family, and even romantic interests!

If you’re a native English speaker, introducing these words of endearment into your daily life might take a little bit of getting used to. Just remember that terms of endearment are a part of everyday life for most Spanish speakers, so don’t be shy in using them!

After all, getting out of your comfort zone is the best way to learn a new language. Whether you’re still a beginner at Spanish or are working your way to intermediate Spanish, you’re gonna have to learn to adjust your personality somewhat when you speak a different language.

That’s why Charlamagne, the former Holy Roman Emperor who reigned in the 9th century, said, “To have another language is to possess a second soul.” And who doesn’t need a little extra soul in their life?

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