Request for a Spanish term of endearment

[PeytonMirabelle]

As Korbin Dallas says, I only speak two languages: English and bad English. So if anyone who knows Spanish can help me out, it would be much appreciated.

I looked up a few online but I never know how accurate such things are. Between two lovers would it be appropriate for the woman to call her man "mi cielo." That seems to be one that came a lot. If there is a better equivalent for "honey," "baby," or "sweetie," (or even "lover,") I would love to know. In context, this would be used in the throes of passion, if that matters.

Thanks!

 

[NotWise]

As Korbin Dallas says, I only speak two languages: English and bad English. So if anyone who knows Spanish can help me out, it would be much appreciated.

I looked up a few online but I never know how accurate such things are. Between two lovers would it be appropriate for the woman to call her man "mi cielo." That seems to be one that came a lot. If there is a better equivalent for "honey," "baby," or "sweetie," (or even "lover,") I would love to know. In context, this would be used in the throes of passion, if that matters.

Thanks!

Spanish is loaded with terms of endearment, and I love'em. There are so many dialects of Spanish that you need to be careful that the term you use is appropriate for your character.

Try out "mi corazon" (literally, my heart) or "mi vida" (literally, my life). I hear "mi corazon" used liberally in Mexican pop. Either one could be used in front of family, but they could also be used in bed. Either of those is probably best used in a standing relationship.

My Hispanic girlfriend used to call me "hijo" which literally means "child," but it took on a different meaning when she put it into "hijo, lay me" which was actually a play on "hijola!" which is just an exclamation like "damn!"

 

[SouthernCrossfire]

Native English speaker but I've been studying Spanish again for several years and know a little (read fairly well, speak very slowly, can't understand much due to the rapid pace). I've seen "mi cielo" (literally, my sky, but used as my love or my darling).

"Mi amor" is my love, and "cariño" is honey, darling, or dear. I think both are common, but "cariño" appears to be more popular. Note that while Spanish uses gender, these are both masculine nouns applied to men or women and end in "o" as a result.

Querido/querida are adjectives for dear that vary according to the gender of the person to which it's applied (male/female); I've also seen it used as a noun, but I'm not sure it was used correctly in that case.

And that's about the extent of my knowledge on the subject.

EDIT: NotWise has a couple of good suggestions in corazon and vida. Hijo/hija does mean child but typically as in "son/daughter" of a person, not just a generic child (niño/niña). NotWise, thanks for the new word "hijola." I don't think I've encountered that one before.

 

[SimonDoom]

Whatever you choose, remember that Spanish distinguishes the gender. Male terms usually end in O and female terms in in A. That's not always true, but usually true.

"Querida/querida" means "dear." I believe it's based on the verb "querer" which means to love. "Te quiero" means "I love you."

"Amor" means love. So "mi amor" would mean "my love." I'm not sure about this but I think that's the most common one.

"Corazon" means "heart." So calling someone "my corazon" is like calling someone "my sweetheart."

"Bebe" means "baby."

"Princesa" means "princess."

To me, everything sounds more romantic in Spanish. It's full of vowels and soft consonants. It's more musical than English.

 

[MColton84]

To me, everything sounds more romantic in Spanish. It's full of vowels and soft consonants. It's more musical than English.

I didn't speak a word of Spanish when I met my wife. Her family had immigrated to the US from El Jobo Cuba in the 80s. Her pet name for me was Gatito, which I wore like a badge of honor. That is until I realized that she had been calling me a puss for more than a year. I still let her call me that today, knowing that it's a term of endearment from her. My point being, that like Simon has said, Spanish is a beautiful language. Even when you are being insulted, there is a flavor to it. I would like to suggest that if can't decide on a traditional term of endearment, then maybe consider a unique one with a backstory. Everyone is different, but I personally always love those special details.

 

[HarryHill]

..
Compa, contraction for compadre (companion/friend)

 

[AvroAnson]

Spanish came to Oriente (the eastern third of Cuba) by way of the Canary Islands, so it is a different dialect than the Spanish spoken in Mexico, South, and Central America.

For a woman, a sexually attractive man is "papi" which literally means 'father'.

For a man a sexually attractive woman is "mami" which literally means 'mother'.

Nope, not kidding.

A bembelequero (mas) or bembelequera (fem) literally 'you'll love this', is a harmless gossip.

A tipo cuadrao (mas) or tipo cuadra (fem) literally 'a square type', is someone who will only quote the party line.

Mi vida means 'my life', as in my reason to live.

Hermoso (mas) and hermosa (fem) mean 'beauty'.

Oriente has the largest Afro-Cuban population on the island. The preferred term is preito (mas) or preita (fem) 'tight' sorta like 'brother' never negro.

Americans are Yumas (from the movie '5:10 to Yuma') never gringos.

Canadians are Cades. Cades are loved in Oriente, they invested all the money to build the infrastructure during the tiempos de hambre (starving times) after the Soviet Union collapsed.

Princesa is 'princess', duh! Corazón means 'my heart'.

Mi preciosa (fem) and mi precioso (mas) mean 'my precious'.

Lindo (mas) and linda (fem) mean 'pretty'. Cariño means 'sweetie'.

Mi Jeva is your 'girl', Singar is to 'screw'.

Jamonero's (ham holders) are just too 'touchy feely'.

Acere is an all purpose greeting, like dude.

Mango is another word for a hot girl. (Mango not Papya.)

Just don't ever ask for a papya, that means 'cunt', the fruit is a frootabomba.

 

[PeytonMirabelle]

Thank you everyone, fantastic feedback!