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"Chico" is a form of "chico", an adjective which is often translated as "small". "¡Dale!" is an interjection which is often translated as "Go ahead!". Learn more about the difference between "chico" and "¡Dale!" below.
chico, el chico, la chica(
chee
-
koh
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. small
Compramos un auto chico.We bought a small car.
b. little
Hay una cabaña chica en el bosque.There is a little cabin in the woods.
a. young
Sus hijos aún son chicos.Her children are still young.
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).
masculine or feminine noun
a. kid
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
¡Qué chico más cómico!What a funny kid!
b. boy
A word or phrase that is masculine (e.g., el libro).
(masculine)
Es un chico muy perseverante.He's a very determined boy.
c. girl
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la manzana).
(feminine)
Es una chica muy inteligente.She's a very intelligent girl.
d. guy
A word or phrase that is masculine (e.g., el libro).
(masculine)
¿Ese es el chico que te gusta? - Sí. Se llama Daniel.Is that the guy you like? - Yes. His name is Daniel.
a. boyfriend (masculine)
Este es mi chico, Darío.This is my boyfriend, Dario.
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).
masculine noun
5.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(form of address)
a. man
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
Chico, no tienes idea.Man, you have no idea.
b. dude
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
¡Ya vámonos de aquí, chico!Let's get out of here, dude!
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¡Dale!(
dah
-
leh
)
An interjection is a short utterance that expresses emotion, hesitation, or protest (e.g., Wow!).
interjection
a. Go ahead!
¿Quieres dejar tu trabajo? Dale, pues.You want to quit your job? Go ahead, then.
b. Go on!
Debes ir a saludar esa chica. ¡Dale!You should go say hi to that girl. Go on!
c. Come on!
¡Dale, Juan! ¡Qué sí que puedes!Come on, Juan! You can do it!
d. Go for it!
Si no lo intentas, no lo conseguirás. ¡Dale!You won't get it if you don't try. Go for it!
a. Okay!
¿Quieres cenar afuera esta noche? Dale.Do you want to eat out tonight? Okay.
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