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ternura means tenderness — a common term in Beautiful Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: December 15, 2025

✨ Beautiful Spanish

ternura

noun • /[ter-NOO-ra]/

tenderness

Example:

Me miró con ternura infinita.

She looked at me with endless tenderness.

🧠 What does ternura mean?

Ternura is a feminine noun that translates to 'tenderness'. It describes a gentle, affectionate, and loving feeling or quality. This term is often used to express warmth, fondness, and deep care for someone or something, such as a child, a partner, or a pet. It conveys a sense of delicacy and emotional softness, often demonstrated through kind gestures, a soft tone of voice, or a compassionate attitude.

📚 Extra examples

  • La abuela miraba a su nieto con mucha ternura.
    The grandmother looked at her grandson with great tenderness.
  • Sus palabras estaban llenas de ternura y comprensión.
    His words were full of tenderness and understanding.
  • Siento una gran ternura por los animales abandonados.
    I feel great tenderness for abandoned animals.

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'ternura' is derived from the adjective 'tierno/a', which means 'tender' or 'soft'. This same adjective can be used to describe both a person's gentle character and the texture of food, such as 'carne tierna' (tender meat). This connection highlights the core meaning of softness and gentleness inherent in the word.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "ternura"

Synonyms: cariño, afecto, dulzura, delicadeza, amor
Opposites: dureza, frialdad, aspereza, brutalidad, indiferencia

🔍 See more beautiful spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'tenderness' in Spanish?
The most direct and common way to say 'tenderness' in Spanish is 'ternura'. Other related words include 'cariño' (affection) and 'dulzura' (sweetness).
How do you pronounce 'ternura' in Spanish?
The pronunciation is ter-NOO-rah. The stress falls on the second-to-last syllable, 'nu'. The 'r' is a soft, single flap sound, typical of Spanish.
How do you use 'ternura' in a sentence?
'Ternura' is a feminine noun. It is often used with verbs like 'sentir' (to feel) or 'mostrar' (to show). For example: 'Ella le habló con ternura al bebé' (She spoke to the baby with tenderness).
What is the English translation of 'ternura'?
The primary English translation for 'ternura' is 'tenderness'. It can also be translated as fondness, affection, or gentleness depending on the context.
Does 'ternura' change for gender or number?
'Ternura' is a feminine noun, so it uses feminine articles like 'la ternura'. As an abstract noun, it is most commonly used in its singular form. The plural, 'ternuras', is rare but can refer to specific displays of tenderness.
Is 'ternura' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'ternura' is a very common word in everyday Spanish. It is used frequently in conversations about emotions, relationships, and family, as well as in literature, poetry, and music.
Does 'ternura' have slang or double meanings?
No, 'ternura' does not have any common slang or negative double meanings. Its meaning is consistently positive, referring to affection and gentleness.
Is 'ternura' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The word 'ternura' has the same meaning and usage across all Spanish-speaking regions. It is a standard term that is universally understood in both Spain and Latin America.

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