chico
“chico” means “boy” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
boy
Also: kid, guy
📝 In Action
El chico juega con su perro en el jardín.
A1The boy is playing with his dog in the garden.
Hay un chico nuevo en mi clase de español.
A2There's a new guy in my Spanish class.
¡Chicos, la cena está lista!
A2Kids, dinner is ready!
small
Also: little, short
📝 In Action
Mi coche es muy chico, es fácil de aparcar.
A2My car is very small, it's easy to park.
Compré una camisa chica porque la grande no me quedaba.
A2I bought a small shirt because the large one didn't fit me.
Estos problemas son chicos comparados con los de antes.
B1These problems are small compared to the ones before.
Translate to Spanish
🗣️ Practice in a Tongue Twister
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: chico
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'chico' as an adjective (describing size)?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Vulgar Latin word *cīccum*, which meant 'something of little value' or 'a trifle'. Over time, this idea of 'smallness' was applied to young people, eventually becoming the word for 'boy' we know today.
First recorded: Around the 15th century.
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'chico' and 'muchacho'?
They are very similar! 'Chico' is probably more common overall, especially in Spain. 'Muchacho' is also very common, particularly in Latin America. Both refer to a boy or young man. Think of them like 'boy' vs. 'lad' in English—slightly different flavors but often interchangeable.
Can I use 'chico' to mean 'boyfriend'?
Yes, in some places, especially Spain, it's common and informal to say 'mi chico' to mean 'my boyfriend', just like you'd say 'mi chica' for 'my girlfriend'.