sweetheart

[BJI-World_Peace]

Dear teachers.
Coud somebody tell me the difference between boyfriend/girlfriend and sweetheart?
Thank you.

 

[Rover_KE]

Sweetheart is what lovers call each other in moments of intimacy and tenderness.

'She's my girlfriend' is how you would introduce her to a friend.

Rover

 

[Ouisch]

A boyfriend or girlfriend can be a sweetheart, but a sweetheart can't be just a "friend." "Sweetheart" indicates a romantic relationship. Sometimes boyfriend or girlfriend also indicates a romantic relationship, but not necessarily always. (If you think it's confusing in terms of language, it's 100% more confusing being in a situation where you're a girl/boy friend and not sure whether you're also a sweetheart.... :turn-l: )

 

[Raymott]

Parents can also call their children (usually the little girls) 'sweetheart'. Even matronly women can call other little girls "sweetheart" on occasion.
I know someone who often refers to his cat as 'sweetheart' or 'sweetie'.

 

[Tdol]

And you can still be a sweetheart when married.

 

[Ouisch]

And you can still be a sweetheart when married.

This is very true. Quick anecdote: Mr. Ouisch and I have always addressed one another as "Sweetheart" or "Sweetie", but I'd *thought* that we only did that in private. Apparently it became more habitual than I'd realized. During a visit with Mr. Ouisch's father a few years ago, he presented us with a gift. My father-in-law has been collecting bottles of all types for decades and has an extensive and valuable collection. During one of his scavenging trips he found two empty bottles of a long-discontinued, local soda pop brand called "Sweetie." He handed the bottles to me and grunted gruffly (in his very Southern accent) "I thought of y'all when I saw these, seeing as you don't seem to have names anymore other than 'Sweetie'...."

 

[Tdol]

Very sweet