chaval
/cha-VAL/
boy
Chaval, meaning 'boy,' is used to refer to a young male person.
📝 In Action
El chaval nuevo del barrio juega muy bien al fútbol.
A2The new kid in the neighborhood plays soccer really well.
Cuando era chaval, pasaba los veranos en la playa.
B1When I was a boy, I used to spend the summers at the beach.
La tienda la lleva un chaval de solo veinte años.
B2The shop is run by a lad who is only twenty years old.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Pairing
The feminine equivalent is 'chavala' (girl/young woman). If you are referring to a mixed group, use the masculine plural: 'los chavales'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with Caution
This word is very common and natural in Spain, but it is rarely used in most parts of Latin America, where 'chico' or 'muchacho' are preferred.
Used informally, chaval can mean 'mate' or 'pal,' referring to a friend or close acquaintance.
chaval(noun)
mate
?informal address, UK English
,guy
?informal address, US English
dude
?very informal address
📝 In Action
¿Qué pasa, chaval? ¿Vienes a la fiesta?
B1What's up, mate? Are you coming to the party?
Oye, chaval, ¿me puedes pasar la sal?
B1Hey, guy, can you pass me the salt?
💡 Grammar Points
Direct Address
When used in this way, 'chaval' is like an exclamation or a direct address, similar to putting 'hey' or 'man' at the beginning of a sentence.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Formal Situations
Mistake: "Using 'chaval' to address an older person or someone in a professional setting."
Correction: This word is highly informal. Use 'Señor' or 'Señora' for respect, or 'usted' for formal address.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: chaval
Question 1 of 2
Which translation best fits '¿Qué haces, chaval?' when spoken to a friend in Madrid?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'chaval' used in Latin America?
While the word is understood, it is not commonly used in Latin America. If you are speaking in Mexico or Colombia, use 'chico' or 'muchacho' instead to sound more natural.
¿Chaval or Chavala? What's the difference?
'Chaval' is for a boy or young man. 'Chavala' is the feminine form, used for a girl or young woman. They follow the standard Spanish pattern of using '-o' for masculine and '-a' for feminine.