Inklingo
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novio

/NOH-byoh/

boyfriend

A young man and a young woman standing close together, holding hands and smiling, symbolizing a boyfriend and girlfriend.

This illustration depicts novio meaning 'boyfriend' or 'fiancé'.

novio(Noun)

mA1

boyfriend

?

In a romantic relationship

Also:

fiancé

?

Engaged to be married

📝 In Action

Mi novio y yo vamos al cine esta noche.

A1

My boyfriend and I are going to the movies tonight.

Ella se comprometió con su novio de toda la vida.

B1

She got engaged to her lifelong boyfriend.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • pareja (partner)

Antonyms

  • exnovio (ex-boyfriend)

Common Collocations

  • echarse novio – to get a boyfriend
  • romper con el novio – to break up with the boyfriend

💡 Grammar Points

Matching Gender: 'Novio' vs. 'Novia'

Spanish words for people often have male and female versions. Use 'novio' for a male partner and change the ending to '-a' ('novia') for a female partner.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Friend vs. Boyfriend

Mistake: "Using 'amigo' (friend) when you mean 'novio'."

Correction: Say 'Es mi novio' to make it clear it's a romantic relationship. Saying 'Es mi amigo' just means he's a friend.

⭐ Usage Tips

Boyfriend or Fiancé?

Spanish uses 'novio' for both 'boyfriend' and 'fiancé'. The situation usually tells you which one it is. If you hear talk about a wedding ('boda'), they mean 'fiancé'.

A man dressed in a formal tuxedo and bow tie, standing proudly, representing a groom at a wedding.

When referring to a wedding, novio means 'groom'.

novio(Noun)

mA2

groom

?

The man getting married at a wedding

📝 In Action

El novio esperaba en el altar.

A2

The groom was waiting at the altar.

Todos querían tomarse una foto con el novio y la novia.

B1

Everyone wanted to take a picture with the groom and the bride.

Word Connections

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • el traje del novio – the groom's suit
  • el discurso del novio – the groom's speech

💡 Grammar Points

The Happy Couple: 'Los Novios'

The plural form, 'los novios', is the most common way to refer to the bride and groom together as a couple on their wedding day.

⭐ Usage Tips

Look for Wedding Words

You'll know 'novio' means 'groom' when you see other wedding-related words like 'boda' (wedding), 'altar' (altar), 'anillo' (ring), or 'novia' (bride).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: novio

Question 1 of 1

If someone says, 'El novio llegó tarde a la boda,' what does 'novio' mean here?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

novia(girlfriend, fiancée, bride) - noun
noviazgo(relationship, courtship, engagement) - noun
exnovio(ex-boyfriend) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 'novio' and 'esposo'?

'Novio' is used before marriage for a 'boyfriend' or 'fiancé'. 'Esposo' is used after marriage for a 'husband'. You have a 'novio' before the wedding, and an 'esposo' after.

How do I say 'bride and groom'?

You can say 'el novio y la novia', but it's very common to just use the plural form 'los novios' to refer to the couple together.