When to use muchacho and when to use chico?

Question

While reading Spanish I've noticed that both chico and muchacho are used for the word 'boy', however, I can't see why they don't just use either chico, or muchacho consistently. Is there a special rule for when to use one and when to use the other?

Thank you in advance

Answer 1

I just talked to the property management folks and they told me they were going to send a "muchacho" to my apartment to replace the oven. I referred to him as the "joven", even though he is an adult. This is normal parlance here in Colombia.

Answer 2

I learned that chico was boy, but muchacho was more for a teenage boy.

Answer 3

HI nametaken, no difference really, just regional preferences.

IN Spain we normally use chico, I think in southamerica they often use muchacho.

Answer 4

Thank you for clearing that up for me!

Answer 5

Here's a related question:

Is it an insult call a middle-aged man, "chico?" I have a Puerto Rican friend who calls me professionally sometimes. I say, "hola, chico!" We are approximately the same age. I'm now wondering if this is taken as friendly, sort of a "hi, guy!" or is it possibly insulting? In English, "hello, boy!" would be insulting to a man.

Please help.

In Madrid, everyone calls each other "guapa" or "guapo"(hey good-looking) in a sort of "you look marvelous sort of way. I don't think this is a good idea for me to say to someone of the opposite sex in a professional setting outside of Madrid. I think it could be taken the wrong way.

Help.

Hi boy ! May be insulting , and yet if it was a group of guys one could say ," how are you boys "? at least here one could . - ray76, Feb 9, 2013

Answer 6

Here is another twist In the Yucatan some people are using Los Muchachos to refer to the Gay community. Jaime