Gordi – My fatty
No, you won’t get a slap or an evil look if you call your Spanish lover a gordi. This pet name for lovers is commonly used regardless of people’s weight. Say gordo/a (just straight fat) and the outcome of your name-calling may be very different.
Mi media naranja – My half an orange
Don’t worry, the person referring to you as mi media naranja doesn’t want to bleed or squeeze you dry. The expression means my better half or my soul mate.
Pichoncito – Little pigeon
Fear not, your partner will not think you’re comparing them to a mucky city bird. Pichoncito/a, ‘little young pigeon’, is sickly sweet but not offensive.
La parienta – The missus
Word of warning, gents – this is not a loving term to use with your wives or girlfriends. The English equivalent is ‘the missus’ is usually used by men when talking to their mates, not directly to their partners. Parienta actually means relative in Spanish.
Bichito – My little insect/bug
Don’t be put off by the pet name bicho or bichito. Depending on your partner’s behaviour, you can decide whether you want it to be a dung beetle or a ladybird.
Mi alma – My soul
It sounds deep, but the term mi alma is used more often by Andalusian grandmothers who bump into you in the street than by young people in relationships. A similar but more suitable name Spanish couples do use is mi vida (my life).
Cariño – My love
The golden oldies never die. Mi amor and cariño are still the most common pet names used by Spanish couples.
Play it safe with the classics, cariño and amor. (Photo by Pierre-Philippe MARCOU / AFP)
Mi cielo – My sky
For the lovebirds who are on a high, mi cielo or just cielo is an endearing pet name to use.
Tesoro – Treasure
Mi tesoro might be what Spanish-dubbed Gollum calls ‘my precious’ in The Lord of the Rings, but in Spain referring to someone as tesoro is a classic, perhaps slightly outdated way, of calling them darling.
Corazón – heart
Literally meaning heart, it’s usually used without the mi at the start.
