vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Chica" is a form of "chica", a noun which is often translated as "girl". "Chico" is a form of "chico", an adjective which is often translated as "small". Learn more about the difference between "chica" and "chico" below.
la chica(
chee
-
kah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
b. chick (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
La chica rubia de la barra tiene un doctorado en Astrofísica.The blond chick at the bar has a Ph.D. in Astrophysics.
2. (old-fashioned) (cleaning lady)
A word or phrase that is seldom used in contemporary language and is recognized as being from another decade, (e.g., cat, groovy).
3. (colloquial) (form of address)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. no direct translation
The following examples show ways to translate this word or phrase without using a direct equivalent.
Pues, chica, no sé cómo voy a resolver el problema.Well, I don't know how I'm going to solve the problem.
¡Chica! ¿Qué dices?Wow! Are you serious?
chico, el chico, la chica(
chee
-
koh
)This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
a. kid (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
¡Qué chico más cómico!What a funny kid!
b. boy (masculine)
A word or phrase that is masculine (e.g., el libro).
Es un chico muy perseverante.He's a very determined boy.
c. girl (feminine)
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la manzana).
Es una chica muy inteligente.She's a very intelligent girl.
d. guy (masculine)
A word or phrase that is masculine (e.g., el libro).
¿Ese es el chico que te gusta? - Sí. Se llama Daniel.Is that the guy you like? - Yes. His name is Daniel.
b. girlfriend (feminine)
¿Sabías que Óscar tiene una chica nueva?Did you know Oscar has a new girlfriend?
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
5. (colloquial) (form of address)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. man (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Chico, no tienes idea.Man, you have no idea.
b. dude (colloquial) (United States)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United States
¡Ya vámonos de aquí, chico!Let's get out of here, dude!
