nounnounadjective

el chico

boy

Es una persona joven de sexo masculino, generalmente un niño o adolescente.

Definition & meaning

The word chico has two primary roles in Spanish:

  1. As a noun: It refers to a boy, a young man, or a child. It is commonly used to describe someone in their youth.
  2. As an adjective: It means small, little, or tiny. When used to describe size, it is the opposite of large. It can also refer to something being insignificant or younger in age (e.g., "mi hermano chico," meaning my younger brother).

Grammar & Word origin

  • Grammar: As a noun, it is a masculine noun. As an adjective, it must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies (e.g., chica for feminine, chicos for plural masculine, chicas for plural feminine).
  • Word origin: The origin of "chico" is uncertain, though it is believed to be derived from the Late Latin "ciccum," which referred to something of little value or a trifle (specifically the thin skin of a pomegranate seed).

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

  • For the noun (boy): Muchacho , niño , joven .
  • For the adjective (small): Pequeño , diminuto , reducido .

Antonyms:

  • For the noun (boy): Adulto , hombre .
  • For the adjective (small): Grande , enorme .

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Examples

El chico juega al fútbol todas las tardes.noun

The boy plays soccer every afternoon.

El chico juega en el parque.noun

The boy plays in the park.

El chico lee un libro.noun

The boy reads a book.

El chico lleva una mochila azul.noun

The boy is carrying a blue backpack.

El chico corre en la calle.noun

The boy runs in the street.

El chico tiene una mochila azul.noun

The boy has a blue backpack.

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