It’s no secret that couples often develop a private language of their own. When two people grow close, they invent inside jokes, secret codes, and a slew of nicknames that only they truly understand. The phenomenon of these quirky monikers isn’t just cute—it actually strengthens the bond, a fact backed by research showing a direct link between playful pet names and higher relationship satisfaction. In this roundup we’ll count down the 10 odd terms that lovers across the planet use to call each other, proving that love truly speaks many dialects.
10 odd terms: A Quick Overview
10 Sweet Pea, Poppet, And PossumEnglish
To the average English‑speaking ear, these three nicknames don’t feel particularly outlandish. “Sweet pea” enjoys modest popularity in the United States, especially in the Southeast, where the tiny, fragrant flower’s charm and the word “sweet” in its name make it an appealing term of affection.
Historically, the sweet pea plant earned a reputation as an aphrodisiac, though all of its varieties contain toxins, so it’s definitely not a culinary love‑helper. The name sticks around more for its sugary connotation than any botanical benefit.
“Poppet” hails from the United Kingdom and, while now somewhat dated, still pops up among lovers who enjoy a vintage flair. Originally meaning a doll or puppet, the word evolved into a pet name that can feel both endearing and a touch theatrical—especially among modern‑day witches who liken their partners to cherished little figurines.
Down under in Australia, “possum” is a perfectly acceptable term of endearment. While outsiders might picture the animal as a scrappy, trash‑rummaging marsupial, the native Australian possum is actually soft‑furred and cuddly, making it a sweet (if slightly quirky) nickname for a beloved.
9 Mon ChouFrench
French lovers have a treasure trove of pet names, many of which pop up in movies and TV dramas. Classics like mon cœur (“my heart”), ma moitié (“my other half”), ma chérie (“my darling”), and mon trésor (“my treasure”) are instantly recognizable to anyone who’s watched a French romance.
Among the less internationally known terms is mon chou, which literally translates to “my cabbage.” To French ears, it feels as cozy as English nicknames such as “honey,” “pumpkin,” or “cutie‑pie,” and it conveys a sense of favorite‑ness rather than any vegetable‑related oddity.
The charm of mon chou lies in its many diminutive variations. Women might say ma choupette (adding the feminine “‑ette”), while men could opt for mon choupinou or women ma choupinette to amp up the cuteness. Even more exaggerated forms exist, like mon chouchou and ma chouchoutte, and the affectionate mon petit chou (“my little cabbage”).
8 AnataJapanese
Japanese doesn’t rely on a long list of overtly sweet pet names. Instead, closeness is signaled by shifting levels of formality, swapping honorifics, or shortening a name to a more intimate nickname.
The default respectful address is the family name plus the honorific “‑san.” Anything more familiar—adding “‑chan” for a younger girl, “‑kun” for a younger boy, or even “‑cchi” for a childhood friend—signals affection and intimacy. Using these informal suffixes without proper closeness can quickly earn a partner’s displeasure.
Interestingly, the word anata (meaning “you”) is rarely used in everyday Japanese because it can feel overly direct. Yet, married couples often adopt it as a pet name, especially women referring to their husbands. A more casual version, anta, is playful and slightly rude when addressed to strangers, but perfectly acceptable within a romantic context—essentially a cheeky “hey you.”
7 Gordo/GordaSpanish
In many Latin American countries, pet names tend to be straightforward descriptors. Alongside classic compliments like chiquito/a (“little one”) and lindo/a (“beautiful”), speakers also freely use words such as pobrecito/a (“poor little one”), loco/a (“crazy”), viejo/a (“old”), flaco/a (“skinny”), and gordo/a (“chubby”).
These descriptors carry no stigma in a romantic setting; they’re simply honest, affectionate observations. When an English speaker calls someone “fat” or “skinny,” it often carries a judgmental tone, but in Spanish‑speaking cultures, gordo/a is more likely to be understood as a sign of health and abundance.
Thus, a lover might lovingly call their partner gordo/a without offense, and family members may teasingly point out a partner’s plumpness as a sign of good living. The cultural context flips the perceived meaning entirely.
6 Mijn PoepieDutch
Dutch communication is famously blunt, with a cultural preference for saying exactly what you mean. This straightforwardness extends to nicknames, where affectionate yet unapologetically literal terms abound.
One such phrase is mijn poepie, which translates to “my little poop.” Though it sounds odd to English ears, it’s a genuine term of endearment used with both romantic partners and children. Its close cousin, scheetje (“little fart”), adds a similarly playful, no‑holds‑barred flavor to Dutch affection.
English speakers might balk at the crudeness, but “poopsie” already exists in Anglophone pet‑name inventories. The Dutch also employ more conventional sweet terms like schat (“treasure”), lekker ding (“delicious thing”), and dropje (“little licorice”), balancing the odd with the ordinary.
5 MausezahnchenGerman
Mausezahnchen is a quintessentially German concoction that literally means “little mouse tooth.” Germans love to string adjectives onto nouns, creating delightfully long and whimsical compounds for affectionate banter.
“Mouse” is already a common, endearing reference in German romance, so a phrase like Mausezahnchen feels playful rather than off‑putting. The language brims with similar creations: Igelschnäuzchen (“little hedgehog snout”), Honigkuchenpferd (“honey‑cake horse”), and Knutschkugel (“smooch ball”).
Some German pet names echo other cultures: Moppelchen (“little chubby one”) mirrors Spanish gordo/a, while Hasenfurzchen (“bunny fart”) resembles Dutch scheetje but adds a cuter animal twist. The most extravagant example, schnückiputzihasimausierdbeertortchen, translates to “cutie‑pie‑bunny‑mouse‑strawberry‑tart,” showcasing the German penchant for linguistic extravagance.
4 Moosh BokhoradetPersian
The Persian phrase Moosh Bokhoradet literally means “a mouse should eat you,” a statement that sounds more threatening than tender at first glance. In reality, it’s a colorful way of saying someone is so cute that a mouse could swallow them whole.
Often used with children, adults will jokingly pinch a youngster’s cheek and declare they’re fit for a mouse’s breakfast, emphasizing the child’s adorableness. The phrase sits alongside other vivid Persian endearments such as Jeegareto bokhoram (“I want to eat your liver”) and jeegare man‑i (“you are my liver”), which, despite their graphic literalness, convey deep affection rather than cannibalistic intent.
Another heartfelt expression, ghorbanat beram (“may I be sacrificed for you”), highlights the dramatic flair of Persian romance. While the wording sounds intense, it genuinely expresses a willingness to give everything for a loved one—though the mouse‑eating metaphor remains a favorite for light‑hearted teasing.
3 Ywn GhzalArabic
The expression Ywn ghzal translates to “the gazelle’s eyes,” evoking the hypnotic stare of a gazelle. Legend tells of Caliph Abd Al‑Malik Ibn Marwan, who once captured a gazelle whose eyes were so mesmerizing that he felt compelled to release the animal.
In Arabic poetry, a woman’s gaze is often likened to lethal spears that ensnare a man’s heart. Thus, admirers use Ywn ghzal to describe a beloved whose eyes possess that enchanting, almost dangerous allure, especially when the feeling isn’t mutual.
The word ghazal also names a poetic form that celebrates love, desire, mysticism, and sometimes religious devotion. Its intricate rhyme scheme mirrors the delicate balance of passion and restraint, making the term a fitting romantic metaphor.
2 NegaoBrazilian Portuguese
In English‑speaking societies, calling someone a descriptor to their face can feel rude, but Brazil takes a more relaxed approach. Terms like Alemão (“German”) or Polaco (“Pole”) are tossed around with friends regardless of actual ethnicity, serving as affectionate shorthand.
Similarly, Negão is used to refer to a Black friend. While it can sound harsh in English, within Brazilian Portuguese it’s a friendly variation of amigão (“big friend”), typically devoid of malicious intent unless tone suggests otherwise.
Brazil’s complex racial hierarchy—spanning indigenous, white, yellow, brown, and Black categories—means that descriptors carry cultural weight. Yet, in casual conversation, using Negão is often as harmless as calling someone “big buddy,” reflecting the nation’s broader comfort with direct, descriptive nicknames.
1 Ben DanChinese
The Mandarin term ben dan translates to “dumb egg,” a playful jab that women often toss at their husbands or boyfriends. Originating from schoolyard teasing, it’s about as light‑hearted as calling someone “silly” in English.
Mandarin brims with egg‑related insults: huái dàn (“naughty egg”) for a mischievous person, hún dàn (“confused egg”) akin to “bastard,” and wán dàn (“finished egg”) as a strong expletive indicating someone is in deep trouble.
Beyond the cheeky “dumb egg,” Mandarin also boasts beautiful phrases like chenyu luoyan (“diving fish, swooping geese”), which references legendary beauties whose allure could make fish forget to swim and geese cease to fly. These poetic images underscore the language’s capacity for both tender and teasing affection.
Renee Chandler is an Atlanta‑based graphic designer and writer. She is currently coauthoring a novel that you can preview and support on Patreon at www.patreon.com/pterohog.