Have you ever wondered what cariño means in English? You're not alone! This is one of the most searched Spanish words by English speakers, and for good reason. The truth is, cariño is one of those beautiful Spanish words that simply doesn't have a direct English translation. It occupies a unique emotional space that English just can't capture with a single word.
If you've been struggling to understand what cariño means or how to use it properly, you've come to the right place. Today, we're diving deep into this wonderful word that reveals something beautiful about the Spanish language and culture.
So, what does cariño mean exactly? The word cariño refers to a warm, tender feeling of affection that flows between love and care. It's more than simple fondness but not as intense as passionate love. Think of it as that sweet spot of human connection - intimate yet gentle, caring yet not overwhelming.
When Spanish speakers use cariño, there's an understanding of exactly what kind of emotion they mean. It's applicable to family members, close friends, romantic partners, and even beloved pets, but it carries a particular warmth that's neither casual nor overpowering.
English tends to compartmentalize emotions when it comes to love and affection. We have "love" (which often feels too strong), "like" (too weak), "fondness" (too formal), "affection" (clinical), and "care" (not quite right either). But cariño flows seamlessly between all these categories.
This is similar to how other languages have untranslatable emotional concepts - like Portuguese saudade or Danish hygge. These words capture entire emotional experiences that other cultures recognize but don't have compact ways to express.
Let's look at how cariño is actually used in everyday Spanish conversations:
One of the most common uses of cariño is as a term of endearment, similar to "honey," "dear," or "sweetheart" in English. As we can see in these two clips from our popular series Extr@: Extra en español:
Hola, Pablo, cariño. -Hola.
Hello, Pablo, honey. -Hello.
Caption 9, Extr@: Extra en español Ep. 8: La prima de la dueña - Part 5
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Notice how natural it sounds when used between people who care about each other. You can also use the diminutive form cariñito to make it even more affectionate:
¿A que sí, cariñito?
Right, honey?
Caption 15, Extr@: Extra en español Ep. 8: La prima de la dueña - Part 5
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You can also use cariño to express your feelings of fondness toward someone or something. For example, when talking about a beloved tree:
Es un árbol al que le tenemos muchísimo cariño.
It's a tree that we're very fond of.
Caption 51, Estepona Orquidario - Part 1
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The word also appears when talking about doing something with love and care, like in this example about handmade crafts:
que es hecho con mucho cariño, hecho a mano.
which is done with lots of love, handmade.
Caption 57, Otavalo Bisutería Kinty
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Cariño is commonly used when sending emotional support to someone:
Te mando mi cariño y muchos ánimos
I send you my love and a lot of encouragement
Caption 19, Aprendiendo con Silvia Pésame y condolencias - Part 2
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You'll also hear cariño used to express warm hospitality:
a la ciudad de Pasto y que los recibimos con todo cariño
in the city of Pasto, and we welcome you with all our affection,
Caption 11, Pipo Carnavales de Pasto - Part 2
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There are several related words and expressions that complement cariño in Spanish:
Cariñoso/a - This adjective means "affectionate" or "loving"
Con cariño - This phrase means "with love" or "with affection" and is commonly used when signing cards or letters
Tener cariño - This expression means "to have affection for" someone
Understanding cariño reveals how Spanish-speaking cultures have remarkably nuanced emotional vocabulary. While there are English words that can come close to its meaning - like "affection," "fondness," or "love" - none quite captures the complete essence of cariño.
These approximations can serve as helpful guidance for understanding the concept, but they miss the specific warmth and tenderness that makes cariño unique. This is one of the most compelling reasons to learn Spanish: accessing emotional territories that English doesn't map precisely. So when someone asks "what does cariño mean in English," you can explain that while we can approximate it with several English words, it's a beautiful Spanish concept that's best understood in its original form.
What other untranslatable Spanish words would you like to explore? We'd love to hear from you with your questions and comments!
Have you ever needed to make a phone call in Spanish and felt unsure about what to say? Whether you're calling a friend, making a business call, or answering an unexpected ring, knowing the right vocabulary and expressions is essential. In this lesson, we'll cover everything you need to confidently handle phone conversations in Spanish: from essential verbs and key vocabulary to common phrases and different ways to answer the phone across Spanish-speaking countries.
This is the fundamental verb for making a phone call. Here's how to use it in different contexts.
When you are about to call someone:
Un momento, voy a llamar por teléfono.
One moment, I'm going to call [them].
Caption 6, Ariana - Cita médica
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When you want to say that you called someone:
Cuando llamé por teléfono, era para hablar con Lucio.
When I called on the phone, it was to talk to Lucio.
Caption 23, Yago - 14 La peruana
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When you want to indicate that someone called someone:
La primera vez que tu papá me llamó, no fue a la casa.
The first time your dad called me, it was not to the house.
Caption 42, Los Años Maravillosos - Capítulo 5
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Of course, when you call someone, you expect an answer. Let's see this verb in action.
Disculpa, estaba en una reunión y no pude responder tu llamada.
Sorry, I was in a meeting and I couldn't answer your call.
You can also use the verb contestar (to answer) in this situation:
Que pena, discúlpame.
I'm sorry, excuse me.
Tengo que contestar esta llamada.
I have to answer this call.
Captions 8-9, Confidencial: El rey de la estafa - Capítulo 3 - Part 1
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This is the verb you use when you need to end a phone call or get off the phone.
When you want to tell someone that you need to go:
Oye, tengo que colgar porque vamos a comer.
Listen, I have to hang up because we're going to eat.
Captions 56-57, Los Años Maravillosos - Capítulo 8
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When you want to say that someone hung up on you or someone else:
Una mina llamó por teléfono a tu celular.
A girl called your cell phone.
Elena atendió, ella preguntó por vos y entonces Elena le dijo,
Elena answered, she asked for you and then Elena said to her,
"¿Quién habla?"
"Who is it?"
Y la mina colgó.
And the girl hung up.
Captions 43-45, Yago - 11 Prisión
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From the example above, you can also see that the verb atender (to respond) is another verb you can use instead of responder (to answer).
Of course, you talk over the phone so if you want to express that action, you can say it like our friend Silvia from El Aula Azul:
Estoy hablando por teléfono.
I'm talking on the telephone.
Yo hablo por teléfono.
I talk on the telephone.
Captions 49-50, El Aula Azul - Actividades diarias: En casa con Silvia
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A phone call is about listening to someone else so this is a very important verb especially when you want to make sure the other person is able to listen to you.
Me puedes escuchar?
Can you hear me?
You can also use the verb oir (to hear) in this context:
¿Qué tal?
How are you?
Muy bien.
Very well.
Y ahora que te oigo, de maravilla.
And now that I hear you, wonderful.
Captions 33-35, Confidencial: El rey de la estafa - Capítulo 3 - Part 13
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Beyond verbs, there are important nouns and terms you need to know when making or receiving calls in Spanish.
• La llamada - the call
This is the most basic noun you'll use constantly.
Una llamada telefónica también puede ser apropiada.
A phone call could also be appropriate.
Caption 21, Aprendiendo con Silvia Pésame y condolencias - Part 2
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• El teléfono - the telephone
The general term for any phone.
• El celular (Latin America) / El móvil (Spain) - the cell phone / mobile phone
When talking about a smartphone, use celular throughout Latin America and móvil in Spain.
¿Nos podrías hacer una foto con mi móvil?
Could you take a picture of us with my cellphone?
Caption 9, Raquel Expresiones para un festival de música.
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yo acabo de recibir una llamada de ese celular.
I just received a call from that cell phone.
Caption 40, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 5 - Part 1
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• El mensaje - the message
Essential for when you need to leave or receive information.
• El buzón de voz / El contestador - the voicemail / answering machine
Where messages are left when you can't answer.
• El número (de teléfono) - the (phone) number
Cleer, ¿me podría dar su número de teléfono?
Cleer, could you give me your phone number?
Caption 36, Cleer y Lida Conversación telefónica - Part 2
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• La señal - the signal
Important when discussing connection quality.
• La línea - the line
As in "the line is busy."
• Número equivocado - wrong number
• Línea ocupada - busy line
• Llamada perdida - missed call
• Conferencia telefónica - conference call
• Llamada de larga distancia - long-distance call
One of the most common questions learners have is: how do you actually answer the phone in Spanish? In English, we simply say "hello," but in Spanish, there are several options that vary by country.
Literally, bueno means "fine" or "well." However, in this context, you can take bueno as a simple "hello." This way of answering the phone is very common in Mexico.
This is the Spanish equivalent of "hello" and works universally across all Spanish-speaking countries.
Literally, this means "yes." It's a very normal way of answering the phone in Spanish, particularly in some Latin American countries.
The translation of this is "tell me" or "speak." This is a very common way of answering the phone in Spain.
This way of answering the phone is very popular in Colombia, Peru, and other South American countries. It works as a simple "hello."
Some people prefer to answer the phone according to the time of day, so you can say buenos días (good morning), buenas tardes (good afternoon), or buenas noches (good evening/night).
Now let's look at common phrases you'll hear and use during phone conversations in Spanish.
• ¿Está [nombre]? - Is [name] there?
• ¿Puedo hablar con [nombre]? - May/Can I speak with [name]?
• ¿Se encuentra [nombre]? - Is [name] available?
¿Puedo hablar con Emilia, por favor?
May I speak with Emilia, please?
Caption 42, Extr@: Extra en español Ep. 6: El día de la Primitiva - Part 7
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• ¿De parte de quién? - Who's calling? / Who may I say is calling?
• Un momento, por favor - One moment, please
• Te lo/la paso / Se lo/la paso - I'll put him/her on
• Ahora se pone - He/she will be right with you
• No se encuentra / No está - He/she is not here
• Está ocupado/a - He/she is busy
¿De parte de quién?
May I ask whose calling?
Caption 46, Los Años Maravillosos Capítulo 8 - Part 4
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Ah, un momento por favor.
Oh, one moment please.
Caption 11, Cita médica La cita médica de Cleer - Part 1
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• No te escucho bien - I can't hear you well
• Se está cortando - The call is breaking up / You're cutting out
• No hay señal - There's no signal
• Habla más fuerte, por favor - Speak louder, please
• No cuelgues - Don't hang up
• Espera un momento - Wait a moment
• Creo que marcaste el número equivocado - I think you dialed the wrong number
• ¿Con quién quiere hablar? - Who do you want to speak with?
• Aquí no vive esa persona - That person doesn't live here
• ¿Le puedo dejar un mensaje? - Can I leave him/her a message?
• ¿Quiere dejar un recado? - Would you like to leave a message?
• Por favor, dígale que llamé - Please tell him/her that I called
• ¿Me puede devolver la llamada? - Can he/she call me back
• Tengo que colgar - I have to hang up
• Te llamo después / Te llamo luego - I'll call you later
• Hablamos pronto - We'll talk soon
• Cuídate - Take care
• Nos hablamos - We'll talk (to each other)
Now that you know all the essential vocabulary, verbs, and phrases for phone calls in Spanish, you're ready to handle any phone conversation with confidence. Remember that answering customs vary by country, so don't be surprised if you hear different greetings depending on where you're calling. The key is to practice these expressions and pay attention to how native speakers use them in real conversations.
Whether you're making a business call, chatting with a friend, or dealing with a wrong number, you now have all the tools you need to navigate phone conversations successfully in Spanish.
Got questions about phone vocabulary or want to share how phone customs work in your Spanish-speaking country? We'd love to hear from you—reach out with your experiences and any questions you might have!
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