What does it mean when a girl calls you ‘hun’?
Does this put you firmly in the friend’s zone, or is it an indication that she’s interested in you?
The word ‘hun’ is short for ‘honey’ and is typically used between friends, but it really depends on the context and how it’s being said.
What Does the Word ‘Hun’ Mean?
In general, the word ‘hun‘ is a term of endearment that can be used between friends. It’s a phonetic spelling from a shortening of the word ‘honey’.
What Does It Mean When a Girl Calls You ‘Hun’?
If you’re not used to someone calling you ‘hun’, it can be confusing at first.
But you have to keep in mind that it’s normal for some people to refer to others’ as hun, and it might even be common in their culture.
If you’re not sure how to take it, the best thing to do is ask her what she means by it.
There’s no harm in asking. In fact, she’ll probably find it cute, and it will give you a better idea of where you stand with her.
In some cases, it’s likely that she’s just using it as a friendly term and nothing more. But it’s still worth asking for your peace of mind.
You can also take into account how the girl is saying the word to you.
This is open to interpretation, but if you think she’s saying it in a flirty or romantic way, then it’s definitely an indication that she likes you.
The problem is that using the word ‘hun’ can mean different things depending on the context and how she says it – so it’s best not to form your own conclusions.
Related – What it means when someone calls you ‘mama’.
Alternative Words to ‘Hun’
If you’re not sure whether or not you like the word ‘hun’, there are plenty of other options out there.
For example, ‘babe’, ‘darling’, ‘sweetie’, or even just using their name are also ways to come across as friendly and personable.
What Does It Mean When a Guy Calls You ‘Hun’?
Although it’s more common for women to use the word hun, some guys also use the word, too.
In the case of a guy using it, it’s more likely that he’s just trying to be friendly than he is flirting.
But again, if you’re not sure what he means by it, instead of guessing, the best thing to do is ask him directly.
You can also pay attention to how he talks to other people in his life.
If he calls members of his family or other friends that you know he’s not interested in ‘hun’, that’s is very likely he just uses the word as a term of endearment.
If you’re the only person that you notice he’s calling ‘hun’, this is a sign that he likes you.
Other Signs Someone Likes You More Than Just as a Friend
If you want to know if someone calling you ‘hun’ likes you more than a friend, there will be more signs if you pay attention to their body language.
For example, they might start to act differently around you, or they may try to find excuses to spend more time with you.
Physical contact is a huge sign. If they find any reason to get close to you, and even reach out and touch you, they are almost certainly flirting.
Prolonged eye contact and open hand gestures when someone is speaking to you are also good body language cues to look for.
Of course, these are just general indications and not foolproof methods. But in my opinion, you should never jump to conclusions from one ‘subtle’ sign that someone likes you.
At the end of the day, however, If you’re not sure whether or not someone likes you, the best thing to do is ask them directly.
This can be a little bit daunting, but it’s the best way to get an honest answer.
The other option is to possibly let someone you’re attracted to slip through your fingers, and that’s worse.
I’m sure you’ve heard the famous quote from Alfred Lord Tennyson:
‘Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
Keep that in mind.
Related – How to answer when a guy asks, ‘what do you think of me?’
How to Respond When Someone Calls You ‘Hun’
If someone calls you ‘hun’, and you’re not sure how to respond, the best thing to do is simply thank them.
Or, you can say something like, “Thanks, hun.”
This might feel uncomfortable if you’ve never used the word. But this way, you’re acknowledging their use of the word and might encourage them not to keep using it.
And if they don’t take the hint, then you can always fall back on asking them directly what they mean by it.
This will make them question how it’s coming across to you, and will probably make them think twice about using it in the future.
If you’re completely fine with them calling you ‘hun’, then simply don’t acknowledge the fact that they’re using the word or draw any attention to it.
At the end of the day, you’re probably going to have to accept that some people use the word ‘hun’ as part of their vocabulary.
It may be to do with their background, culture, or simply just who they are – as a friend you need to accept them for who they are.
Image credits – Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
Phil lives in England, UK, and has around 20 years experience as a professional life, career and executive coach. He started this blog to help others find and define their own self development journey. Blogging about a wide range of topics to help facilitate a better future.