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chiquillo

chee-KEE-yoh/tʃiˈkiʝo/

“chiquillo” means “kid” in Spanish (referring to a child or young boy).

kid

Also: little boy, lad
NounmA2informal
SpainMexico
A cheerful young boy wearing a striped shirt and shorts, smiling and playing outside.

📝 In Action

Ese chiquillo corre muy rápido.

A1

That kid runs very fast.

De chiquillo, me encantaba jugar con aviones.

A2

When I was a little boy, I loved playing with airplanes.

¡Vengan aquí, chiquillos! La cena está lista.

B1

Come here, kids! Dinner is ready.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • niño (boy/child)
  • muchacho (boy/young man)
  • peque (little one)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • buen chiquillo – good kid
  • pobre chiquillo – poor little guy
  • grupo de chiquillos – group of kids

Idioms & Expressions

  • no seas chiquillo – don't be childish or immature

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "chiquillo" in Spanish:

kid→lad→little boy→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: chiquillo

Question 1 of 3

Which word is the most common synonym for 'chiquillo'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
chico(boy/small) — Noun / Adjective
chiquilla(little girl) — Noun
chiquillada(childish act/prank) — Noun
chiquitín(tiny one) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Derived from the Spanish word 'chico' (small/boy), which comes from the Latin 'ciccum' (meaning something of little value), combined with the diminutive suffix '-illo'.

First recorded: 16th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: chico

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'chiquillo' rude?

Not at all! It is actually quite affectionate. However, since it is informal, you might avoid it in a serious business meeting.

Can I use 'chiquillo' for a teenager?

Yes, especially if you are much older than them. It's similar to calling someone 'kid' or 'young man' in English.

What's the difference between 'chiquillo' and 'chiquito'?

Both mean 'small' or 'little boy.' 'Chiquito' is used more often as an adjective for size, while 'chiquillo' is almost always used as a noun for a person.