Essential Romantic Expressions
Terms of Endearment
Términos cariñosos
Mi amor
My love
mee ah-MOR
Mi vida
My life
mee VEE-dah
Corazón
Sweetheart
koh-rah-SOHN
Cariño
Darling
kah-REE-nyoh
Preciosa/Precioso
Beautiful/Handsome
preh-SYOH-sah/preh-SYOH-soh
Compliments
Cumplidos
Eres muy guapa/guapo
You're very beautiful/handsome
EH-rehs mwee GWAH-pah/GWAH-poh
Tienes una sonrisa hermosa
You have a beautiful smile
tee-EH-nehs OO-nah sohn-REE-sah ehr-MOH-sah
Me encanta tu personalidad
I love your personality
meh ehn-KAHN-tah too pehr-soh-nah-lee-DAHD
Eres increíble
You're incredible
EH-rehs een-kreh-EE-bleh
Tienes unos ojos preciosos
You have beautiful eyes
tee-EH-nehs OO-nohs OH-hohs preh-SYOH-sohs
Asking Someone Out
Invitar a salir
¿Te gustaría tomar un café conmigo?
Would you like to have coffee with me?
teh goos-tah-REE-ah toh-MAHR oon kah-FEH kohn-MEE-goh
¿Quieres ir a cenar?
Do you want to go to dinner?
KYEH-rehs eer ah seh-NAHR
¿Te interesa ver una película?
Are you interested in seeing a movie?
teh een-teh-REH-sah vehr OO-nah peh-LEE-koo-lah
¿Qué tal si vamos a la playa?
How about we go to the beach?
keh tahl see VAH-mohs ah lah PLAH-yah
¿Tienes planes para el fin de semana?
Do you have plans for the weekend?
tee-EH-nehs PLAH-nehs PAH-rah el feen deh seh-MAH-nah
Planning Dates
Planear citas
¿A qué hora te recojo?
What time should I pick you up?
ah keh OH-rah teh reh-KOH-hoh
¿Dónde nos encontramos?
Where should we meet?
DOHN-deh nohs ehn-kohn-TRAH-mohs
Reservé una mesa para dos
I reserved a table for two
reh-sehr-VEH OO-nah MEH-sah PAH-rah dohs
¿Te gusta bailar?
Do you like to dance?
teh GOOS-tah bah-ee-LAHR
Conozco un lugar muy romántico
I know a very romantic place
koh-NOHS-koh oon loo-GAHR mwee roh-MAHN-tee-koh
Dating Conversation Starters
First Impressions
Encantado/a de conocerte
Nice to meet you
ehn-kahn-TAH-doh/dah deh koh-noh-SEHR-teh
¿Cómo te llamas?
What's your name?
KOH-moh teh YAH-mahs
¿De dónde eres?
Where are you from?
deh DOHN-deh EH-rehs
¿A qué te dedicas?
What do you do for work?
ah keh teh deh-dee-KAHS
Me gusta tu estilo
I like your style
meh GOOS-tah too ehs-TEE-loh
Flirting
Tienes una energía muy positiva
You have very positive energy
tee-EH-nehs OO-nah eh-nehr-HEE-ah mwee poh-see-TEE-vah
Me haces reír mucho
You make me laugh a lot
meh AH-sehs reh-EER MOO-choh
Eres muy divertido/a
You're very fun
EH-rehs mwee dee-vehr-TEE-doh/dah
Me gustas
I like you
meh GOOS-tahs
¿Puedo tener tu número?
Can I have your number?
PWEH-doh teh-NEHR too NOO-meh-roh
Expressing Feelings
Me siento muy cómodo/a contigo
I feel very comfortable with you
meh see-EHN-toh mwee KOH-moh-doh/dah kohn-TEE-goh
Pienso mucho en ti
I think about you a lot
pee-EHN-soh MOO-choh ehn tee
Eres especial para mí
You're special to me
EH-rehs ehs-peh-see-AHL PAH-rah mee
Te extraño
I miss you
teh ehks-TRAH-nyoh
Estoy enamorado/a de ti
I'm in love with you
ehs-TOH-ee eh-nah-moh-RAH-doh/dah deh tee
Communication
¿Me escribes más tarde?
Will you text me later?
meh ehs-KREE-behs mahs TAHR-deh
Me encanta hablar contigo
I love talking with you
meh ehn-KAHN-tah ah-BLAHR kohn-TEE-goh
¿Podemos hablar?
Can we talk?
poh-DEH-mohs ah-BLAHR
Tengo algo que decirte
I have something to tell you
TEHN-goh AHL-goh keh deh-SEER-teh
Necesitamos hablar
We need to talk
neh-seh-see-TAH-mohs ah-BLAHR
Perfect Date Ideas in Panama
Beach Romance
Romance en la playa
- Sunset walk on Playa Bluff
- Beach picnic in Bocas del Toro
- Surfing lesson together
- Stargazing on Red Frog Beach
- Beachside dinner at a local restaurant
Adventure Dates
Citas de aventura
- Zip-lining through the rainforest
- Snorkeling at Coral Cay
- Hiking in Manuel Antonio
- Dolphin watching tour
- Coffee plantation visit
Cultural Experiences
Experiencias culturales
- Salsa dancing lessons
- Local festival or carnival
- Traditional cooking class
- Visit to indigenous communities
- Live music at a local venue
City Romance
Romance urbano
- Rooftop dinner in Panama City
- Walk through Casco Viejo
- Canal viewing at Miraflores
- Shopping at Albrook Mall
- Art gallery in San Felipe
Cultural Dating Tips
Dating Customs
- Family is very important - expect to meet relatives early
- Men often pay for dates, but splitting is becoming common
- Punctuality is flexible - 'Panamanian time' applies to dates too
- Physical affection in public is generally accepted
- Traditional gender roles are still common but changing
Communication Style
- Panamanians are generally warm and expressive
- Direct communication is appreciated but be respectful
- Compliments are welcomed and expected
- Showing genuine interest in their culture is attractive
- Learning Spanish shows commitment and respect
Social Etiquette
- Dress well - appearance matters in dating culture
- Bring small gifts like flowers or chocolates
- Be respectful to friends and family
- Share meals - food is central to relationships
- Be patient with cultural differences
Relationship Expectations
- Relationships often move quickly to serious commitment
- Family approval is important for long-term relationships
- Traditional values coexist with modern dating
- Religious beliefs may influence relationship dynamics
- Marriage and children are often ultimate relationship goals
Essential Love Vocabulary
Emotions
- Amor: Love
- Cariño: Affection
- Pasión: Passion
- Ternura: Tenderness
- Felicidad: Happiness
- Celos: Jealousy
- Confianza: Trust
Relationships
- Novio/a: Boyfriend/Girlfriend
- Pareja: Partner
- Esposo/a: Husband/Wife
- Compromiso: Engagement
- Matrimonio: Marriage
- Aniversario: Anniversary
- Romance: Romance
Special Occasions
- San Valentín: Valentine's Day
- Cumpleaños: Birthday
- Regalos: Gifts
- Flores: Flowers
- Sorpresa: Surprise
- Serenata: Serenade
- Proposición: Proposal
Panamanian Romance Culture
Understanding Love in Panama
Family Integration
Romantic relationships in Panama often involve the whole family. Meeting parents and siblings early is normal and expected.
Music & Dance
Salsa, merengue, and reggaeton play important roles in courtship. Dancing together is a common way to show romantic interest.
Romantic Gestures
Small, thoughtful gifts and surprise visits are highly valued. Serenades and public displays of affection are still appreciated.
Religious Influence
Catholic traditions influence many relationships, with marriage and commitment being highly valued cultural ideals.
Common Dating Mistakes to Avoid
Cultural Don'ts
- ×Don't ignore or disrespect family members
- ×Don't be overly casual about religion or traditions
- ×Don't assume all women are financially dependent
- ×Don't rush physical intimacy
- ×Don't criticize Panamanian customs or compare to your country
Better Approaches
- ✓Show genuine interest in family and culture
- ✓Ask questions about traditions respectfully
- ✓Recognize and respect individual independence
- ✓Build emotional connection before physical
- ✓Express appreciation for local culture and people