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caricia

kah-REE-syah/kaˈɾisja/

“caricia” means “caress” in Spanish (a gentle, affectionate touch).

caress

Also: stroke, gentle touch
NounfA2
General Spanish
A gentle hand softly stroking the cheek of a smiling child.

📝 In Action

El bebé sonrió con la caricia de su madre.

A1

The baby smiled with his mother's caress.

Sentí la suave caricia del viento en mi cara.

B1

I felt the gentle caress of the wind on my face.

Tus palabras fueron una caricia para mi alma en ese momento difícil.

B2

Your words were a caress for my soul during that difficult moment.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • mimo (cuddle or pampering)
  • carantoña (affectionate gesture)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • hacer una caricia – to caress someone
  • caricia suave – soft caress
  • una caricia en la mejilla – a stroke on the cheek

Idioms & Expressions

  • ser una caricia para los oídos – to be very pleasant to listen to

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "caricia" in Spanish:

caress→gentle touch→stroke→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: caricia

Question 1 of 3

Which verb means 'to caress' in Spanish?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
acariciar(to caress) — Verb
cariño(affection/darling) — Noun
cariñoso(affectionate) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'caritia,' which comes from 'carus,' meaning 'dear' or 'beloved.' It's the same root that gives us 'charity' in English.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: carezzaFrench: caresse

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'caricia' a romantic word?

It can be romantic, but it's also used for children, pets, and family members. It simply describes a gentle, affectionate touch.

What is the difference between 'caricia' and 'mimo'?

A 'caricia' is specifically a gentle touch or stroke. A 'mimo' is a broader term for 'pampering' or 'affectionate treatment' which might include cuddles or even treats.

How do you say 'to stroke the cat'?

You would say 'acariciar al gato' or 'hacerle una caricia al gato'.