What Does "Mija" Mean? Translation, Usage, & More

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Get to the heart of this heartwarming Spanish term

Co-authored by Language Academia and Devin McSween

Last Updated: September 16, 2024 Fact Checked

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Mija Meaning

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Using Mija

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Origins

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Mija vs. Mijo

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Related Spanish Terms

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While learning Spanish or talking to your Spanish-speaking family and friends, you may have heard people say “mija.” Mija means “my daughter” in Spanish and is a friendly, affectionate term that refers to another woman, whether she’s a family member, friend, or romantic partner. In this guide, we’ll teach you how to use mija and other Spanish terms of endearment!

Common Meanings & Usages for Mija

Mija translates to “my daughter,” which is an informal and affectionate way to address your or someone else’s daughter. However, it’s also a term of endearment for women. It’s the equivalent of saying “Dear,” “Honey,” or “Sweetheart” in Spanish.

Section 1 of 5:

Mija Meaning in Spanish

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Mija translates to “my daughter” and is used as an affectionate term. Mija is a friendly and informal Spanish word people call their daughters or other girls. People also use it as a sweet term of endearment for female friends, relatives, romantic partners, and other young women. It’s the equivalent of saying, “Dear,” “Honey,” or “Sweetheart.”
- Mija is pronounced “Mee-ha.”^{[1]
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- Mija may also be spelled “Hija,” “Mi hija,” or “M’ija.”^{[2]
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- Note: While mija is intended as a friendly term of endearment, some women consider being called “mija” condescending. So, ask if it’s okay to use mija to refer to a woman if you’re unsure.

Section 2 of 5:

How to Use Mija

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Use mija to refer to a daughter or children. Is a girl running around? Busy on her phone? You may shout, “¡Mija!” to get her attention. Whether or not a kid is yours, mija is an informal way of getting the attention of young women or girls.^{[3]
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- “¡Estoy tan felix de verte, mija!” → “I’m so happy to see you, sweetie!”
- “Mija, ve a ayuda a tu tía.” → “Dear, go help your aunt.”
- “¡Mija! ¡Hora de cenar!” → “Honey! It’s time for dinner.”
- “Esta es mi hija, Isabella.” → “This is my daughter, Isabella.”
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Say mija to express affection towards loved ones. Mija isn’t exclusively used to refer to someone’s daughter. It can also be an affectionate nickname to address close friends or romantic partners. In these scenarios, mija is the equivalent of saying, “Baby,” “Honey,” “Sweetheart,” or “Gal.”^{[4]
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- “Dame un beso, mija.” → “Give me a kiss, baby.”
- “¡Hola mija! ¡Vamos a comer algo!” → “Hey girl! Let’s go grab a bite!”
- “Te ves muy hermosa, mija.” → “You look very beautiful, honey.”
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Use mija when you don’t know someone’s name. Let’s face it: now and then, you’ll bump into someone you’ve seen a million times but can never remember their name. That’s okay—it happens to the best of us. Fortunately, Spanish speakers have come up with the perfect save. Just call that person mija!
- “¿Mija, le dijiste a tu madre que te quedarás?” → “Girl, did you tell your mom you’re staying?”
- “¡Ayi! Esa mija esta tan loca.” → “That girl is so crazy.”

Section 3 of 5:

The Origins of Mija

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Mija has deep roots in Latin American culture. From Mexico to the Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico and beyond, many Spanish speakers use "mija" as a friendly, informal way to refer to female friends, romantic partners, or children. It is a colloquial contraction of the Spanish words mi (my) and hija (daughter).^{[5]
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Research source} The two words bled together to become mija over time.^{[6]
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- Mija has also been used as a name for girls in Scandinavia, Serbo-Crotia, and Korea. It is pronounced as mee-jah.^{[7]
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Section 4 of 5:

Mija vs. Mijo

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Mijo translates to “my son.” If you’ve seen or heard mija, you’ve likely heard its counterpart: mijo. Mijo is a contraction of “mi hijo” and is another affectionate way of referring to a son, young man, or boy.^{[8]
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- “¿Cómo estás, mijo?” → “How are you, son?”
- “¿Ese est tu mijo? ¡Se parece a su padre!” → “That’s your son? He looks just like his father!”

Section 5 of 5:

Similar Terms of Endearment in Spanish

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Chica Chica is another informal way of addressing a girl or young woman. It translates to “girl” or “chick.” It’s pronounced chee-kah.^{[9]
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- “Esa chica es un problema.” → “That girl is trouble.”
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Amor One way to express affection or admiration is through love. Amor is a common way to describe the feeling of love, refer to a lover, or use a term of endearment, much like saying “Honey.” It’s pronounced ah-mohr.^{[10]
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- “Mi amor tu eres mi mundo entero.” → “My love, you are my whole world.”
- “Ven aquí, amor, dame un beso.” → “Come here, love, give me a kiss.”
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Nena Similar to mija, nena is another way to refer to a young kid, little girl, or baby. It's used as a term of endearment for children. It’s pronounced “Nen-nah.”^{[11]
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- “No llores, nena. Mamí volverá pronto.” → “Don’t cry, dear. Mommy will be back soon.”
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Bonita If you’re looking to hand out compliments, bonita is one way to tell a girl how pretty, cute, or beautiful she is. It can also be used as a term of endearment for darling, love, or honey. It’s pronounced “boh-nee-tah.”^{[12]
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- “¡Oye, bonita! Dame un beso.” → “Hey, beautiful. Give me a kiss.”
- “¿Qué pasa, bonita? ¿Qué ocurre?” → “What happened, beautiful? What’s wrong?”