Spanish Word of the Day: cariño

You might already know today’s word: cariño. It’s used often throughout the hispanosphere and has some easy to understand and easy to use meanings.

If you translate it directly, it means nothing more than “affection”. But it can also mean “love” (as in the concept “love”) and “love” (as in a person; “hi my love”). For example: you’re out with your boyfriend or girlfriend, and want to say him/her something. Mostly, you’ll start with cariño. The beauty of it is that it doesn’t change regarding a man or woman; it’s always cariño. In this context, cariño can also mean “hug”, “kiss” or “cuddle”.

In Latin-America, people also use the word as a way to say “love” when writing a card. In English one could end a letter with: “Love, [name]“. In Spanish (or at least Latin-America) you’d say: “Cariños, [nombre]“.

Sentences

Fue la única persona que me dio cariño.
She was the only person who showed me any affection.

Le tengo mucho cariño a este anillo.
I’m very fond of this ring.

Siento muchísimo cariño por ella.
I have a great affection for her.

Te ha tomado mucho cariño.
He’s become very fond of you.

Cariños por tu casa/a tu mujer.
(send my) love to your family/your wife.

La pareja se hacía cariño.
The couple were having a little cuddle.

*Sentences taken from “Concise Oxford Spanish Dictionary”.