Inklingo

How to Say "affection" in Spanish

English → Spanish

cariño

nounA2general
Use 'cariño' for a warm, tender feeling of fondness, often towards people you care about deeply, like family or close friends.

Examples

Le tengo mucho cariño a mi abuela.

I have a lot of affection for my grandmother.

afecto

/ah-FECK-toh//aˈfekto/

nounB1general
Use 'afecto' to describe a more general emotional attachment or warmth, often implying a consistent, observable demonstration of care.
A small child hugging a large teddy bear tightly, showing emotional warmth.

Examples

Ella siempre me muestra mucho afecto.

She always shows me a lot of affection.

El afecto entre hermanos es muy importante.

The affection between siblings is very important.

Les envío mi más sincero afecto a todos.

I send my sincerest fondness to everyone.

Gender Rule

Even though it ends in '-o', remember that 'afecto' is a masculine noun and requires masculine articles ('el afecto', 'un afecto').

Using the Feminine Form

Mistake: “La afecto es importante.”

Correction: El afecto es importante. (The noun is always masculine, regardless of who is feeling it.)

amor

/ah-mor//aˈmoɾ/

nounA1general
Use 'amor' for the strongest form of affection, deep love, typically reserved for romantic partners, family, or a profound connection.
A heartwarming depiction of a mother gently embracing her young child, illustrating deep affection and unconditional love.

Examples

El amor de una madre es incondicional.

A mother's love is unconditional.

Siento un gran amor por ti.

I feel a great love for you.

Tiene un amor increíble por la música clásica.

He has an incredible love for classical music.

Always Masculine: 'el amor'

Even when you're talking about love for a woman or something seen as feminine, the word 'amor' itself is always masculine. So, you'll always say 'el amor' (the love) or 'un amor' (a love).

Using 'amor' for Everyday 'Likes'

Mistake: “Tengo amor por la pizza.”

Correction: Me encanta la pizza. 'Amor' is a very strong word, usually saved for people, pets, or deep passions like art or music. For everyday things you enjoy, even a lot, it's more natural to use 'me gusta' (I like) or 'me encanta' (I love/adore).

Choosing between 'cariño' and 'afecto'

Learners often confuse 'cariño' and 'afecto'. 'Cariño' implies a warm, personal fondness, while 'afecto' suggests a more general, perhaps less intimate, emotional connection or warmth shown over time.

Related Translations

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