Inklingo

How to Say "tenderness" in Spanish

English → Spanish

cariño

nounA2general
Use 'cariño' to describe a deep feeling of affection and fondness, often directed towards people or pets you care about greatly, implying gentle care.

Examples

Le tengo mucho cariño a mi abuela.

I have a lot of affection for my grandmother.

ternura

ter-NOO-rahteɾˈnuɾa

nounB1general
Choose 'ternura' to express a feeling of tender affection, often evoked by something heartwarming or endearing, or to describe a physical softness.
A gentle illustration of a person's hand softly stroking a small kitten.

Examples

Siento mucha ternura cuando veo a mi perro dormir.

I feel a lot of tenderness when I see my dog sleeping.

Ella me miró con una ternura infinita.

She looked at me with infinite tenderness.

La ternura del filete era increíble.

The tenderness of the steak was incredible.

Using 'Dar' vs 'Sentir'

To say something is 'cute' or makes you feel tender, use the verb 'dar' (to give). For example: 'Ese gato me da ternura' (That cat gives me tenderness/makes me feel tender).

Abstract Nouns

Like many Spanish words ending in '-ura', this is an abstract noun. It describes a quality rather than a physical object you can hold.

Ternura vs. Tierno

Mistake: “Esa película es mucha ternura.”

Correction: Esa película tiene mucha ternura OR Esa película es muy tierna.

dulzura

dool-ZOO-rah (like 'tool' but with a 'd' and a soft 'z' sound)dulˈsuɾa

nounB1general
Use 'dulzura' when referring to a gentle, sweet, or warm manner of speaking or behaving, emphasizing emotional warmth and kindness.
A small, fluffy brown rabbit sitting calmly on soft grass while a human hand gently strokes its back, illustrating gentleness.

Examples

La abuela siempre me habla con mucha dulzura.

Grandma always speaks to me with great gentleness (or tenderness).

Su dulzura natural hace que todo el mundo la quiera.

Her natural kindness makes everyone love her.

Necesitamos más dulzura y menos agresividad en el debate.

We need more gentleness and less aggression in the debate.

Often Paired with Prepositions

When describing how someone acts, 'dulzura' often follows prepositions like 'con' (with) or 'de' (of): 'con dulzura' means 'gently'.

Choosing Between Affection and Warmth

Learners often confuse 'cariño' and 'ternura'. Remember that 'cariño' is primarily about deep affection and care for someone, while 'ternura' is more about the feeling evoked by tenderness or a soft quality. 'Dulzura' is best for describing a sweet or warm demeanor.

Related Translations

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