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Terms of Endearment

Tired of trite nicknames for your lover, like “Honey” or “Sweetheart” or “Sugar”? Rev up your romance with these awesome international terms of endearment.

Petit chou (French) – Little cabbage. When your French lover calls you a head of cabbage, he’s being romantic, not pushing for an early dinner.

Tamago gata no kao 卵形顔 (Japanese) – Egg with eyes. If your Japanese lover calls you an “egg with eyes,” he’s flattering your beauty, not commenting on your IQ.

Chuchuzinho (Portugese/Brazil) – Little pumpkin. Your Brazilian lover is being affectionate, not criticizing your figure.

Ma puce (French) – My flea or louse. Your French sweetie is being loving, not complaining that you’re as irritating as a flea or head lice.

Chang noi (Thai) – Little elephant. You can use this affectionately to your children, not your husband or lover. Unless, of course, you want to say that his equipment is small.

Polpetta (Italian) – Meatball. You know how important food is to Italians. He’s saying you’re yummy, not round and squishy.

Chényú luòyàn 沉鱼落雁 (Chinese) – Diving fish, swooping geese. Your Chinese lover is saying you’re beautiful, not that you look like a fish with the brains of a goose.

Mijn poepie (Dutch) – My little poo or poopie. Yep, meant with love. Not much more to say about this.

Gordo/gorda (Spanish) – Fatty. A term of affection. Not suggesting you join Weight Watchers.

Khanfoussti / Khanfoussi (Maghreb Arabic) – My little bug. Said tenderly. Not implying you bug the hell out of him/her.

Gang-a-ji 강아지 (Korean) – Puppy. Your darling is saying you’re cute, not that you’re a dog.

Zhū tóu 猪头(Chinese) – Pig head. Said lovingly. Not a comment on your appearance or eating habits.

Pulcino (Italian) – Little chicken. Yes, another term of love, not a comment on your brain power or annoying, baseless fears.

Krümel (German) – Crumb. Said fondly. Not related to the English “crummy.”

Karale (Malayalam) – Liver. Not comparing you to a large, rubbery organ that secretes bile, but to what (they think) is the source of love. Their version of the Italian cuore mio.

Manaraki Μαναρακι (Greek) – A small lamb being fed to prepare for slaughter. Said with affection. Not preparing you for getting wooed then dumped (though Greeks do have sex more often than anyone else in the world).

Jigaret Udem (Armenian) – “I will eat your liver.” No need to run, unless she’s approaching with a carving knife.

Xiao qiu yin 小蚯蚓 (Chinese) – Small earthworm. Term of endearment for a woman, not a comment on a man’s character or apparatus.

Gomba (Hungarian) – Mushroom. He’s being romantic, not saying you live in the dark and smell like poop.

Moosh bokhoradet(Persian) – “May a mouse eat you.” Commenting on your cuteness, not cheesiness.

Microbino mio (Italian) – “My little microbe.” She’s saying you’re adorable, not that you’re making her sick.

Zuzuni Ζουζουνι (Greek) – Bug. Again with the insect reference. Not sure what’s going on with the Europeans’ passion for bugs.

Mijn Bolleke (Flemish) – “My little round thing.” Said fondly, not a comment on your hips.

Brzydalu (Polish) – “Ugly one.” Hard to figure this one. Maybe follows that old song, “if you want to be happy for the rest of your life, never make a pretty woman your wife…” Except you use it for your man.

Mae-yod-choo (Thai) – “Mother with the most lovers.” To be said lovingly by a man to his wife. Implications as you wish.