Spanish word

mimar

Pronunciation

IPA/miˈmaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbspoil

Example

No debes mimar demasiado a tu hijo.

You must not spoil your child too much.

Illustration for mimar (spoil)

More examples

Los abuelos suelen mimar a los nietos cuando los visitan.

Grandparents tend to pamper their grandchildren when they visit.

Core concept

Excessive pampering that produces clingy, dependent behavior.

Common phrases

  • mimar a alguien

    pamper someone

  • mimar a los niños

    pamper children

  • mimar con regalos

    pamper with presents

Similar words

consentir: Permits and tolerates someone's demands, typically agreeing to requests rather than refusing.
malcriar: Brings up a child with inconsistent or weak discipline, resulting in spoiled, unruly conduct.
sobreproteger: Shelters someone from risks and challenges to such an extent that self-reliance becomes stunted.

Definition in Spanish

Consentir en exceso a alguien, otorgándole caprichos y cuidados que fomentan conductas dependientes.

Word origin

The verb comes from the noun mimo (from Latin mimus, from Greek mimos) plus the verbal suffix -ar, naming the action of giving mimo-like affectionate attention.

Usage tips

  • The verb typically takes a person or animal with the preposition a (mimar a alguien) and often functions as a light reproach or joke rather than a formal accusation.

Other meanings

  • dote onverb

Opposites

Related words

  • mimospoilingnoun
  • mimadopamperedadjective
  • mimosoclingyadjective

Word lists with this word