Inklingo

How to Say "daughter" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “daughter” is “hija” — use 'hija' as the standard and most formal translation for 'daughter' when referring to your female child, especially in general conversation or when the relationship needs to be explicitly clear..

English → Spanish

hija

/ee-khah//ˈixa/

NounA1General
Use 'hija' as the standard and most formal translation for 'daughter' when referring to your female child, especially in general conversation or when the relationship needs to be explicitly clear.
A mother and her young daughter holding hands and smiling while walking together on a path in a park.

Examples

Mi hija quiere ser doctora.

My daughter wants to be a doctor.

Mi hija mayor se llama Sofía.

My oldest daughter is named Sofia.

Tengo dos hijos y una hija.

I have two sons and one daughter.

La hija de mi vecina es muy inteligente.

My neighbor's daughter is very smart.

Masculine and Feminine Nouns

In Spanish, words for people often have a masculine and a feminine form. 'Hija' is the feminine word for 'daughter.' The masculine version is 'hijo' for 'son'.

Talking About a Group of Children

Mistake: “Tengo una hija y un hijo, son mis hijas.”

Correction: Tengo una hija y un hijo, son mis hijos. When you have a group of sons and daughters, you use the masculine plural form 'hijos' to refer to them all together.

niña

NounA1Informal
Use 'niña' informally to refer to your own daughter, especially when she is young, similar to calling her 'my little girl' in English.

Examples

La niña está jugando en el parque.

The girl (my daughter) is playing in the park.

Choosing Between 'Hija' and 'Niña'

The most common mistake is using 'niña' in situations where 'hija' is more appropriate, such as in formal settings or when referring to an adult daughter. Remember that 'niña' often implies a younger child and a more affectionate, informal tone.

Related Translations

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