nene
“nene” means “baby boy” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
baby boy, little boy
Also: kid
📝 In Action
El nene de mi hermana ya camina solo.
A1My sister's little boy already walks by himself.
Tienes que cambiarle el pañal al nene.
A2You have to change the baby's diaper.
Los nenes están jugando en el parque.
A2The kids are playing in the park.
sweetheart, honey
Also: guy
📝 In Action
¿Qué quieres de cenar, nene?
B1What do you want for dinner, honey?
Hola, nene. ¿Cómo te fue en el trabajo?
B2Hello, sweetheart. How was work?
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: nene
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'nene' as a term of endearment for an adult?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
'Nene' is thought to originate from nursery language, where sounds are often repeated (a process called reduplication) to form simple, easy-to-say words, similar to how 'mama' or 'dada' developed.
First recorded: Modern usage, derived from similar forms across Romance languages.
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'nene' the same as 'niño'?
'Nene' and 'niño' both mean 'boy,' but 'nene' is generally more affectionate, informal, and often specifically used for babies or toddlers. 'Niño' is the more neutral, standard term for a child up to age 12.
Can I use 'nene' to refer to a girl?
No. 'Nene' is strictly masculine. To refer to a girl or woman affectionately, you must use the feminine form: 'nena.'