chico (spanish) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

Noun

Phonetic Transcription

/ˈtʃiko/

Translation Options into English

• Boy
• Kid
• Young man

Meaning and Usage

The word "chico" generally refers to a boy or a young man. It can also denote a child in informal contexts. In colloquial usage across various Spanish-speaking countries, "chico" is often used to refer to a young person regardless of gender, but primarily it retains its masculine context. In general, it appears more frequently in oral speech compared to formal written contexts.

Frequency of Use

The term is quite common in everyday conversation, especially in informal settings, making it an important part of colloquial Spanish.

Example Sentences

1. El chico juega en el parque todos los días.
   The boy plays in the park every day.

2. Hay un chico muy simpático en mi clase.
   There is a very nice young man in my class.

3. Ayer vi a un chico correr por la calle.
   Yesterday I saw a boy running down the street.

Idiomatic Expressions

The word "chico" is also featured in several idiomatic expressions, showing its versatility in the Spanish language.

Example Idiomatic Expressions

1. Chico de oro
   El chico de oro de la familia siempre logra lo que quiere.
   The golden boy of the family always gets what he wants.

2. Chico malo
   Se ha convertido en el chico malo de la escuela.
   He has become the bad boy of the school.

3. Chica y chico
   En la fiesta había chica y chico bailando juntos.
   At the party, there were girls and boys dancing together.

4. Chico listo
   Él es un chico listo, siempre tiene buenas soluciones.
   He is a smart boy, he always has good solutions.

5. Chico a la moda
   Ese chico a la moda sabe cómo vestirse bien.
   That trendy boy knows how to dress well.

6. Ser un chico de la calle
   Creció siendo un chico de la calle, pero logró superarse.
   He grew up being a street kid, but he managed to rise above it.

Etymology

The term "chico" originates from the Spanish word "chiquillo," which derives from the Latin word "ciccare," meaning "to cry" or "to weep," though its connection to youth is more significant. The diminutive suffix "-ico" indicates a smaller or tender version, further emphasizing its meaning related to children or young people.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms: - Muchacho (boy) - Joven (young person) - Niño (child, specifically younger)

Antonyms: - Viejo (old man) - Adulto (adult) - Anciano (elderly person)