understanding "ita" vs. "cita"

Question

Please help me understand when to use "ita" vs. "cita" in terms of endearment.

Why mamaCITA and not mamita?

Why could i write piñita but not piñacita (for little pineapple) ?

Is there a rule to follow? Or do you just have to pick it up on a word to word basis?

gracias.

Mamita is perfectly normal. - afowen, Jul 28, 2013

Answer 1

Spanish nouns that end in 'a' or 'o' endears themselves with the ending 'ita' and 'ito' repectively. NOTE: Mamá becomes mamacita because 'mamá ends in 'Á' not 'A'

Answer 2

link text

link text

Answer 3

This old game thread has some good examples and links.

Diminutives - Beginner's Game

Here's a simple link:

Diminutivos

Answer 4

I guess there are exceptions to the rule...

To me, both are OK, but in Chile we use/used more "mamita". I wouldn't know now, as I haven't been to my country in 30 some years.

Answer 5

Very helpful links, gracias! (However, mama is a word that ends in 'a', yet it is mamacita in the diminutive form. I guess this just comes down to memorizing the exceptions, eh?)