Inklingo

niñita

nee-NYEE-tah/niˈɲita/

niñita means little girl in Spanish (young child).

little girl

Also: sweetie, dear
NounfA2
MexicoSpain
A colorful storybook illustration of a cheerful, young girl wearing a brightly colored dress and holding a small teddy bear.

📝 In Action

La niñita estaba jugando con su oso de peluche.

A2

The little girl was playing with her teddy bear.

¡Qué niñita tan inteligente! Respondió todas las preguntas.

B1

What a smart little girl! She answered all the questions.

Mi abuela siempre me llama niñita, aunque ya tengo veinte años.

B2

My grandmother always calls me 'niñita' (sweetie), even though I'm already twenty years old.

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "niñita" in Spanish:

dearlittle girlsweetie

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: niñita

Question 1 of 1

What is the main difference between 'niña' and 'niñita'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
niño(boy; child (masculine))Noun
niña(girl; child (feminine))Noun
niñito(little boy)Noun
niñez(childhood)Noun
🎵 Rhymes
señoritacasita
📚 Etymology

Formed from the Spanish noun 'niña' (girl), which itself has an uncertain origin, possibly from an onomatopoeic root used to call children. The suffix '-ita' was added to convey smallness and affection.

First recorded: The base word 'niña' dates back to the 13th century; the diminutive form appeared later as a natural linguistic development.

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: menina

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can 'niñita' be used for an adult?

Yes, but only in a highly familiar and affectionate context, usually by an older relative (like a grandparent) towards a granddaughter, to express enduring affection, regardless of the person's age.