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"Chico" is a form of "chico", an adjective which is often translated as "small". "Muchacho" is a noun which is often translated as "boy". Learn more about the difference between "chico" and "muchacho" below.
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!
el muchacho, la muchacha(
moo
-
chah
-
choh
)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. boy (masculine)
A word or phrase that is masculine (e.g., el libro).
Había un grupo de muchachos jugando al tenis.There was a group of boys playing tennis.
b. girl (feminine)
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la manzana).
Las muchachas sentadas allá son mis amigas.Those girls sitting over there are my friends.
c. kid (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
¡Oye, muchacha! Ayúdame a mover este sofá.Hey kid! Help me move this sofa.
d. young man (masculine)
A word or phrase that is masculine (e.g., el libro).
¿Quién es ese muchacho que está en el jardín con Isabel? - Es su novio.Who's that young man who's with Isabel in the garden? - He's her boyfriend.
e. young woman (feminine)
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la manzana).
Hoy en día las muchachas suelen ser más maduras que nosotras a su edad.Nowadays young women are usually more mature than we were at their age.
f. youngster
Los muchachos de hoy en día son muy distintos de cómo éramos nosotros a su edad.Today's youngsters are very different from how we were at their age.
2. (old-fashioned) (attendant)
A word or phrase that is seldom used in contemporary language and is recognized as being from another decade, (e.g., cat, groovy).
a. servant (masculine)
El muchacho le subirá las maletas a la habitación.The servant will take your suitcases up to your room.
b. maid (feminine)
Mi abuela ordenó a la muchacha que limpiara la cocina.My grandmother instructed the maid to clean the kitchen.
