Inklingo
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tierno

/tee-EHR-noh/

tender

A close-up view of a fork easily slicing through a thick piece of roasted steak resting on a white plate, demonstrating the meat's tender texture.

When describing food, like meat, 'tierno' means tender.

tierno(Adjective)

mA1

tender

?

for food, like meat

,

soft

?

for plants or materials

Also:

young

?

referring to age or stage of growth (e.g., a sapling)

,

delicate

?

physically fragile

📝 In Action

El chef cocinó el bistec hasta que quedó muy tierno.

A2

The chef cooked the steak until it was very tender.

Estas hojas de lechuga son muy tiernas; cómelas pronto.

B1

These lettuce leaves are very soft/delicate; eat them soon.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • blando (soft)
  • suave (smooth, soft)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • carne tierna – tender meat
  • edad tierna – tender age (young age)

💡 Grammar Points

Agreement is Key

Since 'tierno' is an adjective, you must change the ending to match the noun it describes: 'el pollo tierno' (masculine singular), 'la fruta tierna' (feminine singular), 'los tallos tiernos' (masculine plural).

⭐ Usage Tips

Cooking Terminology

When talking about meat, 'tierno' is the perfect word to describe how easy it is to cut and chew. It is the opposite of 'duro' (tough).

A storybook illustration showing a small, smiling child gently embracing a large, fluffy teddy bear, symbolizing sweetness and affection.

For a person or gesture, 'tierno' means sweet, affectionate, or endearing.

tierno(Adjective)

mA2

sweet

?

of a person or gesture

,

affectionate

?

showing love or care

Also:

gentle

?

of movement or touch

,

loving

?

describing a mood or relationship

📝 In Action

Mi abuela es muy tierna y siempre tiene un abrazo para mí.

A2

My grandmother is very sweet/affectionate and always has a hug for me.

Escribió una carta tierna a su esposa en su aniversario.

B1

He wrote a tender letter to his wife on their anniversary.

La película era muy tierna, casi me hizo llorar.

B2

The movie was very sweet/moving; it almost made me cry.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • cariñoso (affectionate)
  • dulce (sweet)

Antonyms

  • cruel (cruel)
  • frío (cold, distant)

Common Collocations

  • gesto tierno – tender gesture
  • corazón tierno – tender heart (sensitive)

💡 Grammar Points

Use with 'Ser'

When describing a person's permanent characteristic (their nature), use 'ser': 'Ella es tierna' (She is a sweet person). If you use 'estar', it means they are currently being sweet or acting sensitive, though this is less common.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing 'Tierno' and 'Dulce'

Mistake: "Using 'dulce' to mean physically tender (e.g., 'carne dulce')."

Correction: Use 'tierno' for texture (tender meat) and 'dulce' mainly for taste (sweet flavor) or a person's temperament. 'Tierno' covers both physical softness and emotional sweetness.

⭐ Usage Tips

Expressing Emotion

'Tierno' is a wonderful word to describe feelings that are warm, gentle, and moving. It often implies a feeling of innocence or vulnerability.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: tierno

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'tierno' in its emotional meaning?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

ternura(tenderness, sweetness) - noun
tiernamente(tenderly, sweetly) - adverb

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I say 'tenderly' (the adverb)?

You use the adverb 'tiernamente'. It's formed by adding '-mente' to the feminine form of the adjective: 'Me miró tiernamente' (He looked at me tenderly).

What is the feminine form of 'tierno'?

The feminine singular form is 'tierna' (e.g., 'una mirada tierna' - a sweet look). The plural forms are 'tiernos' (masculine) and 'tiernas' (feminine).