ternura

tenderness

noun tehr-NOO-rah Rare

Usage Note

Ternura expresses warm, gentle affection — the emotional tenderness felt towards a child, a loved one, or something sweet. It is distinct from cariño (affection, fondness) in that ternura emphasises a softness or delicacy of feeling. The adjective is tierno/a (una mirada tierna — a tender look). Also note tierno means 'tender' of meat.

Examples

"Miró al bebé con ternura."

Natural Translation

She looked at the baby with tenderness.

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