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"Acaricias" is a form of "acariciar", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to pet". "Caricia" is a noun which is often translated as "caress". Learn more about the difference between "acaricias" and "caricia" below.
acariciar(
ah
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kah
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ree
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syahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to pet (an animal)
A mi gato le encanta que lo acaricien entre las orejas.My cat loves to be petted between his ears.
b. to caress (a person)
La madre acarició la frente de su hija enferma.The mother caressed her sick daughter's forehead.
c. to stroke (hair, an animal)
Tiene la manía de acariciarse el pelo sin parar.She is constantly stroking her hair.
2. (figurative) (to keep in the mind)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
a. to cherish
He acariciado el sueño de convertirme en doctor desde que era pequeño.I've cherished the dream of becoming a doctor since I was young.
acariciarse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to stroke
Tiene el hábito de acariciarse el bigote cuando piensa.He has the habit of stroking his mustache when he's thinking.
A reciprocal verb is a verb that indicates that two or more subjects perform an action on each other (e.g., Ellos se abrazan.).
a. to caress each other
Se acariciaban con cariño mientras contemplaban la puesta de sol.They caressed each other lovingly while they gazed at the sunset.
la caricia(
kah
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ree
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syah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
c. stroke
No me gustan las caricias tan ligeras. Me dan cosquillas.I don't like such light strokes. They tickle too much.
2. (sensation)
a. caress
Extrañaba la caricia de la voz tranquilizadora de mi madre cuando estudiaba en el extranjero.I missed the caress of my mother's soothing voice while I was studying abroad.
