Inklingo
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A smiling young boy, approximately ten years old, with short brown hair, standing in a sunny green field.

muchacho

/moo-CHAH-choh/

NounmA1
boy?A young male person, typically a child or teenager.
Also:lad?Informal, similar to 'boy'.,young man?Can also refer to a male in his late teens or early twenties.,guy?Informal, similar to 'dude' or 'guy' in some contexts.

📝 In Action

El muchacho está jugando en el parque.

A1

The boy is playing in the park.

Vi a un grupo de muchachos hablando en la esquina.

A2

I saw a group of boys talking on the corner.

Es un buen muchacho, siempre ayuda a su familia.

B1

He's a good lad, he always helps his family.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • chico (boy, guy)
  • joven (young person, youth)
  • niño (child, little boy)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • un buen muchacho – a good boy
  • el muchacho de los recados – the errand boy

Idioms & Expressions

  • ser un muchacho de bien – To be a good, honest, and reliable person.

💡 Grammar Points

Changing the Ending for Girls

This word changes to 'muchacha' when you're talking about a girl. The little word in front also changes: 'el muchacho' (the boy) becomes 'la muchacha' (the girl).

Making it Plural

To talk about more than one boy, add an '-s' to make 'muchachos'. For a group of girls, it's 'muchachas'. For a mixed group of boys and girls, you use the masculine form: 'los muchachos'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'Muchacho' for an Adult Man

Mistake: "Llamé al muchacho para que arreglara la tubería."

Correction: Llamé al hombre para que arreglara la tubería. 'Muchacho' usually refers to a boy, teenager, or very young man. Using it for a grown adult can sound a bit strange or even like you're talking down to them, unless you're much older.

⭐ Usage Tips

Regional Flavor

'Muchacho' is very common, but some places have their own favorite words. In Spain, you'll hear 'chaval' more often, and in Argentina, 'pibe'. Using 'muchacho' is always a safe and widely understood choice, especially in Latin America.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: muchacho

Question 1 of 1

If you see a young woman, what would you call her?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

muchacha(girl, young woman) - noun
muchachada(group of youngsters, crowd of boys/girls) - noun
muchachito(little boy (affectionate)) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 'muchacho', 'chico', and 'niño'?

'Niño' usually refers to a young child, up to about age 12. 'Muchacho' and 'chico' are for older kids, teenagers, or young adults. 'Chico' is more common in Spain, while 'muchacho' is very widespread in Latin America. In many situations, you can use them interchangeably.

Is it okay to call a waiter 'muchacho'?

Yes, especially if the waiter is young and you are older. Saying '¡Oye, muchacho!' is a common and informal way to get a young man's attention. It's generally not considered rude, just informal.