tierno
adjectiveCEFR B2
What does “tierno” mean in English?
tender — showing gentleness and concern; also: tender/soft in texture
tender — showing gentleness and concern; also: tender/soft in texture (gesto tierno, mirada tierna, carne tierna)
Example sentences
El pan todavía está tierno y fresco.
The bread is still tender and fresh.
Es una persona muy tierna con los niños.
She is a very tender person with children.
Recuerdo con cariño aquellos tiernos años.
I remember fondly those tender years.
How to use it
'Tierno/a' means tender — either physically soft/young (pan tierno, cordero tierno) or emotionally warm and affectionate. Used with ser/estar depending on context. Estar tierno can mean physically soft at a given moment; ser tierno describes personality.
Common mistake
Don't confuse 'tierno' (tender/soft/affectionate) with 'suave' (smooth/gentle) — 'tierno' implies warmth and youth, 'suave' implies texture or gentleness.