chicos
“chicos” means “kids / children” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
kids / children, boys, guys / folks
Also: lads
📝 In Action
Los chicos están jugando en el parque.
A1The kids (or boys) are playing in the park.
Hola chicos, ¿cómo están?
A1Hey guys, how are you?
Tengo dos chicos, un niño y una niña.
A2I have two kids, a boy and a girl.
small
Also: little
📝 In Action
Prefiero los cafés chicos, no los grandes.
A2I prefer the small coffees, not the large ones.
Estos zapatos me quedan chicos.
B1These shoes are too small for me.
Compré dos pantalones chicos para el viaje.
A2I bought two small pairs of pants for the trip.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: chicos
Question 1 of 1
If a teacher says, '¡Silencio, chicos!' to a classroom of boys and girls, what does 'chicos' mean?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Vulgar Latin word 'ciccum', which meant 'a trifle' or 'something of little value'. Over time, it came to mean 'small', and from there was used to describe a small person—a child.
First recorded: Around the 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'chicos' and 'niños'?
'Niños' usually refers to younger children, like 'children' in English. 'Chicos' is broader and can mean children, teenagers, or even be used informally for a group of adults (like 'guys'). Think of 'niños' as more specific to childhood, while 'chicos' is more versatile and informal.
Can I use 'chicos' to address my older colleagues at work?
It depends on the workplace culture. In a very informal or creative office, it might be fine. However, in a more formal setting, it could sound too casual. When in doubt, it's safer to use 'colegas' (colleagues) or 'equipo' (team).