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How to Say "lass" in Spanish

English → Spanish

muchacha

/moo-CHAH-chah//muˈtʃa.tʃa/

nounA1informal, slightly old-fashioned
Use 'muchacha' for a general, informal, and slightly old-fashioned term for a young woman or girl, common in many Spanish-speaking regions.
A young female child with pigtails wearing a bright yellow dress, smiling happily while sitting on a wooden swing.

Examples

La muchacha que vende flores es mi hermana.

The girl selling flowers is my sister.

La muchacha del pelo rojo es mi prima.

The girl with the red hair is my cousin.

Vimos a un grupo de muchachas jugando en el parque.

We saw a group of girls playing in the park.

¡Muchacha! ¿Puedes ayudarme con esto?

Hey, girl! Can you help me with this?

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).

jovencita

/ho-ven-SEE-ta//xoβenˈsi.ta/

nounA2slightly old-fashioned or regional, affectionate term
Opt for 'jovencita' when you want to convey a more affectionate or slightly formal, yet still dated, term for a young lady, often used with a touch of endearment.
A high quality simple colorful storybook illustration of a smiling young woman with long dark hair wearing a bright yellow dress, standing in a sunny park.

Examples

Qué educada es la jovencita que nos atendió.

How polite the young lady who served us is.

La jovencita de la tienda es muy amable.

The young woman at the store is very kind.

¿Quién es esa jovencita que acaba de entrar?

Who is that young girl who just walked in?

Mi hermana mayor ya no es una niña; es toda una jovencita.

My older sister is no longer a child; she is quite a young woman.

The Diminutive Suffix -cita

The ending '-cita' is a diminutive suffix, which means it makes the base word ('joven') seem smaller, cuter, or younger. It often carries a warm, affectionate feeling.

Confusing Gender

Mistake: “Usando 'jovencito' para una mujer.”

Correction: Since 'jovencita' ends in '-a', it is always feminine and refers to a female person. The masculine form is 'jovencito'.

Choosing Between 'Muchacha' and 'Jovencita'

Learners often confuse 'muchacha' and 'jovencita' because both can mean 'girl'. The key difference is that 'muchacha' is more common and general, while 'jovencita' carries a softer, more affectionate, and sometimes more formal tone, often implying a younger age or a more delicate demeanor.

Related Translations

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