hijo
/ee-hoh/
son
The most common meaning of 'hijo' is a male child, or son.
📝 In Action
Mi hijo mayor se llama Carlos.
A1My oldest son is named Carlos.
Tengo dos hijos y una hija.
A1I have two sons and one daughter.
El hijo de mi vecina es muy educado.
A2My neighbor's son is very polite.
💡 Grammar Points
Male and Female Forms
Like many Spanish nouns for people, 'hijo' is for a boy. To talk about a girl, you change the ending to '-a' to get 'hija'.
The 'Default' Plural
The plural form 'hijos' can mean 'sons', but it's also used for a mixed group of 'sons and daughters' or 'children' in general. Spanish often uses the male plural form as the default for a mixed group.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Plural for Mixed Groups
Mistake: "If you have one son and one daughter, you might say: 'Tengo dos hijas.'"
Correction: Use the masculine plural 'hijos' for a mixed group. The correct way is: 'Tengo dos hijos.'
⭐ Usage Tips
Showing Possession
Remember to use words like 'mi' (my), 'tu' (your), or 'su' (his/her) before 'hijo' to show whose son it is, like in 'mi hijo'.
'Hijo' can be used like 'son' or 'kid' in English to talk to a younger person you're not related to.
hijo(Noun)
son
?as an affectionate term of address
kid
?informal address to a younger person
,my boy
?affectionate address
📝 In Action
Ten cuidado en la calle, hijo.
B1Be careful on the street, son.
Gracias por la ayuda, hijo. Eres muy amable.
B1Thanks for the help, kid. You're very kind.
⭐ Usage Tips
Who Uses It?
This use of 'hijo' is most often heard from an older person talking to a younger person. It shows warmth and can feel a bit parental, even with strangers.
Sometimes, '¡Hijo!' is just a way to express surprise or frustration, similar to 'Oh, man!' or 'Jeez!' in English.
hijo(Interjection)
man!
?expressing surprise or frustration
wow!
?expressing surprise
,jeez!
?expressing annoyance
📝 In Action
¡Hijo! Qué susto me diste.
B2Man! You scared me.
Se me olvidaron las llaves otra vez. ¡Hijo!
B2I forgot the keys again. Jeez!
⭐ Usage Tips
Listen for Tone
The meaning of '¡Hijo!' completely depends on the situation and how someone says it. It can be surprise, annoyance, or even admiration. Pay attention to the speaker's tone of voice.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: hijo
Question 1 of 2
If a family has one boy and one girl, how would you refer to them together?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'hijo' and 'niño'?
'Hijo' always talks about a relationship: someone's son. 'Mi hijo' is 'my son'. 'Niño' just means 'boy' or 'child' in general, without mentioning who the parents are. 'El niño juega' means 'the boy is playing'.
How do I say 'children' in Spanish?
You can use 'hijos' to mean 'children' when talking about a specific family's kids (e.g., 'Sus hijos son altos' - 'Their children are tall'). If you're talking about children in general, like 'Children like to play', the word 'niños' is more common.
I heard someone say 'mijo'. What is that?
'Mijo' is a very common and friendly contraction of 'mi hijo' (my son). It's used a lot in Mexico and other parts of Latin America, especially in the same way English speakers might say 'son' or 'kiddo' affectionately.