Inklingo

How to Say "kid" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “kid” is “chico” — use this informal term for a boy or young teenager when you want a general, common word for a 'kid'.

chico🔊A1

Use this informal term for a boy or young teenager when you want a general, common word for a 'kid'.

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nene🔊A1

Use this colloquial term when referring to a very young child, often a baby or toddler.

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críoA2

This is a common and informal way to refer to any young child, especially one who is active.

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chiquillo🔊A2

Use this word to specifically describe a child or a young boy, often implying they are small or energetic.

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chiquito🔊A2

This informal term is used for a young person or child, often with a diminutive or affectionate tone, like 'little one'.

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chaval🔊A2

This term is common in Spain for a young person or teenager, similar to 'lad' or 'youngster'.

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piojo🔊B2

Use this very informal and sometimes slightly teasing term for a small child, similar to 'little pest' or 'squirt'.

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hijo🔊B1

While it literally means 'son', this word is used informally as a term of endearment or mild address to a younger person, regardless of gender.

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pequeñoB1

This colloquial term simply means 'little one' and is used affectionately to refer to a young child.

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pelado🔊C1

In some Latin American countries, this term refers to a child or teenager, often used casually.

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pendejo🔊C1

This term, often considered vulgar or offensive depending on the region, refers to a young person or child, sometimes implying foolishness.

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English → Spanish

chico

CHEE-koˈtʃiko

NounA1Informal
Use this informal term for a boy or young teenager when you want a general, common word for a 'kid'.
A cheerful young boy with dark hair laughing while kicking a soccer ball in a sunny park.

Examples

El chico juega con su perro en el jardín.

The boy is playing with his dog in the garden.

Hay un chico nuevo en mi clase de español.

There's a new guy in my Spanish class.

¡Chicos, la cena está lista!

Kids, dinner is ready!

Masculine and Feminine Forms

Use chico when talking about a boy. If you're talking about a girl, you just swap the 'o' for an 'a': chica. For a group of boys or a mixed group of boys and girls, use the plural chicos.

`Chico` vs. `Niño`

Mistake: “Using `chico` and `niño` as if they are exactly the same.”

Correction: `Niño` usually refers to a younger child (around 2-10 years old). `Chico` is more general and can be used for a young child, a teenager, or even a young man in his 20s. When in doubt, `chico` is often a safe bet.

nene

NEH-nehˈne.ne

nounA1Colloquial
Use this colloquial term when referring to a very young child, often a baby or toddler.
A storybook illustration of a happy toddler boy wearing blue pajamas, crawling on a brightly colored rug.

Examples

El nene de mi hermana ya camina solo.

My sister's little boy already walks by himself.

Tienes que cambiarle el pañal al nene.

You have to change the baby's diaper.

Los nenes están jugando en el parque.

The kids are playing in the park.

Masculine/Feminine Pair

Remember that 'nene' refers to a male child. The feminine form, 'nena,' is used for a little girl.

crío

nounA2Informal
This is a common and informal way to refer to any young child, especially one who is active.

Examples

Ese crío siempre está corriendo por la calle.

That kid is always running through the street.

chiquillo

chee-KEE-yohtʃiˈkiʝo

nounA2Informal
Use this word to specifically describe a child or a young boy, often implying they are small or energetic.
A cheerful young boy wearing a striped shirt and shorts, smiling and playing outside.

Examples

Ese chiquillo corre muy rápido.

That kid runs very fast.

De chiquillo, me encantaba jugar con aviones.

When I was a little boy, I loved playing with airplanes.

¡Vengan aquí, chiquillos! La cena está lista.

Come here, kids! Dinner is ready.

The 'Small' Ending

This word uses the '-illo' ending, which is a way Spanish speakers make a word sound smaller or more affectionate. It's like adding 'y' to 'dog' to make 'doggy'.

Gender Matters

This version ends in 'o,' so it specifically refers to a boy. If you want to talk about a girl, you must change it to 'chiquilla'.

Using it for girls

Mistake: “Esa chiquillo es inteligente.”

Correction: Esa chiquilla es inteligente. Remember that words describing people usually have to match their gender.

chiquito

chee-KEE-tohtʃiˈkito

nounA2Informal
This informal term is used for a young person or child, often with a diminutive or affectionate tone, like 'little one'.
A small young boy wearing a yellow shirt and blue overalls, smiling and holding a red ball.

Examples

El chiquito no quiere comer sus verduras.

The little boy doesn't want to eat his vegetables.

De chiquito, yo vivía en Madrid.

When I was a little kid, I lived in Madrid.

Es un chiquito muy inteligente.

He is a very smart little kid.

Talking about the past

The phrase 'de chiquito' is a very common way to start a story about your childhood, similar to saying 'as a boy' in English.

Using it for adults

Mistake: “Calling a boss or stranger 'chiquito'.”

Correction: This is very informal. Only use it for actual children or very close friends as a nickname.

chaval

cha-VALtʃaˈβal

nounA2Informal
This term is common in Spain for a young person or teenager, similar to 'lad' or 'youngster'.
A smiling young boy wearing a blue shirt and shorts, holding a red toy car in his hand.

Examples

El chaval nuevo del barrio juega muy bien al fútbol.

The new kid in the neighborhood plays soccer really well.

Cuando era chaval, pasaba los veranos en la playa.

When I was a boy, I used to spend the summers at the beach.

La tienda la lleva un chaval de solo veinte años.

The shop is run by a lad who is only twenty years old.

Gender Pairing

The feminine equivalent is 'chavala' (girl/young woman). If you are referring to a mixed group, use the masculine plural: 'los chavales'.

piojo

pee-OH-hoˈpjo.xo

nounB2Informal
Use this very informal and sometimes slightly teasing term for a small child, similar to 'little pest' or 'squirt'.
A very small, tiny puppy standing next to a large, oversized red ball to show its small size.

Examples

¡Vete de aquí, piojo!

Get out of here, you little squirt!

No era más que un piojo cuando lo conocí.

He was nothing but a little nobody when I met him.

Ese piojo se cree el dueño del mundo.

That little runt thinks he owns the world.

Figurative Gender

When used for a person, it's almost always 'un piojo' (masculine), even if the person is female, though 'pioja' is sometimes heard in very slang-heavy Latin American speech.

Tone Sensitivity

Mistake: “Using 'piojo' with a boss.”

Correction: This is very informal and can be insulting; only use it with friends or people you are looking down upon.

hijo

ee-hoh'ixo

NounB1Informal
While it literally means 'son', this word is used informally as a term of endearment or mild address to a younger person, regardless of gender.
An older, kind-looking shopkeeper speaking warmly to a younger man, patting him on the shoulder.

Examples

Ten cuidado en la calle, hijo.

Be careful on the street, son.

Gracias por la ayuda, hijo. Eres muy amable.

Thanks for the help, kid. You're very kind.

pequeño

NounB1Colloquial
This colloquial term simply means 'little one' and is used affectionately to refer to a young child.

Examples

El pequeño está durmiendo la siesta.

The little one is taking a nap.

pelado

peh-LAH-dohpeˈlaðo

nounC1Informal
In some Latin American countries, this term refers to a child or teenager, often used casually.
A happy young boy wearing a striped shirt and a baseball cap.

Examples

Ese pelado es muy inteligente.

That kid is very smart.

Había un grupo de pelados en la esquina.

There was a group of guys on the corner.

pendejo

pen-DEH-hopenˈde.xo

nounC1Vulgar/Informal
This term, often considered vulgar or offensive depending on the region, refers to a young person or child, sometimes implying foolishness.
A small child playing with a bright red toy car on a carpet.

Examples

Había un grupo de pendejos jugando fútbol en la calle.

There was a group of kids playing soccer in the street.

Ese pendejo cree que lo sabe todo.

That brat thinks he knows everything.

Regional Meaning Shift

In the 'Southern Cone' (South America), this word refers to age rather than intelligence.

Mixing up regions

Mistake: “Calling a child a 'pendejo' in Mexico thinking you are saying 'kid'.”

Correction: Only use this to mean 'kid' if you are in Argentina, Uruguay, or Peru. In Mexico, you would be insulting the child's intelligence.

Don't confuse 'chico' with 'chiquito' or 'chiquillo'

Learners often mix up 'chico', 'chiquillo', and 'chiquito'. While 'chico' is a general term for a boy or teen, 'chiquillo' and 'chiquito' specifically emphasize youth and smallness, often with a more affectionate or diminutive feel. Using 'chico' is safest for general use.

Related Translations

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