Inklingo
← Dictionary

muchacha

/moo-CHAH-chah/

girl

A young female child with pigtails wearing a bright yellow dress, smiling happily while sitting on a wooden swing.

Depicting muchacha as a young girl or female child.

muchacha(noun)

fA1

girl

?

female child or teenager

Also:

young woman

?

adolescent or young adult

,

lass

?

informal, slightly old-fashioned

📝 In Action

La muchacha del pelo rojo es mi prima.

A1

The girl with the red hair is my cousin.

Vimos a un grupo de muchachas jugando en el parque.

A2

We saw a group of girls playing in the park.

¡Muchacha! ¿Puedes ayudarme con esto?

A1

Hey, girl! Can you help me with this?

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • chica (girl)
  • joven (young person)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • una muchacha hermosa – a beautiful girl
  • desde muchacha – since she was a girl

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Match

Since 'muchacha' is feminine, any describing words (adjectives) you use with it must also match the feminine form: 'la muchacha alta' (the tall girl).

⭐ Usage Tips

Pairing with 'Muchacho'

The masculine equivalent is 'muchacho' (boy). You can use 'los muchachos y muchachas' when talking about mixed groups of young people.

A person wearing a simple uniform and an apron, holding a feather duster and smiling next to a cleaned table.

Depicting muchacha in its context as a domestic helper or maid.

muchacha(noun)

fB1

maid

?

domestic helper

Also:

housekeeper

?

person who cleans and manages a house

📝 In Action

Necesitamos una muchacha que sepa cocinar y limpiar.

B1

We need a maid who knows how to cook and clean.

La muchacha se encarga de la ropa sucia.

B2

The housekeeper takes care of the laundry.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • empleada doméstica (domestic employee (more formal))
  • asistenta (assistant/cleaner (Spain))

Common Collocations

  • trabajar de muchacha – to work as a maid

⭐ Usage Tips

Choosing a Respectful Term

In many Spanish-speaking areas, using 'empleada doméstica' (domestic employee) or 'asistente del hogar' (home assistant) is viewed as more respectful and professional than 'muchacha' when referring to a worker.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: muchacha

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'muchacha' in its secondary meaning (domestic worker)?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

muchacho(boy, young man) - noun
muchachada(group of young people) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'muchacha' and 'chica'?

'Chica' is generally more common in Spain and means 'girl.' 'Muchacha' is widely used across Latin America, often interchangeable with 'chica,' but it can sometimes imply a slightly older teenager or young woman, or be used in the specific context of a domestic helper.

Can I use 'muchacha' to refer to my adult daughter?

Yes, informally. While it literally means 'young woman,' parents often use 'mi muchacha' affectionately to refer to their adult daughters, similar to how English speakers might use 'my girl.'