vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Muchacha" is a form of "muchacho", a noun which is often translated as "boy". "Chico" is a form of "chico", an adjective which is often translated as "small". Learn more about the difference between "muchacha" and "chico" below.
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.
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!
