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"Muchacho" is a noun which is often translated as "boy", and "niño" is a noun which is often translated as "child". Learn more about the difference between "muchacho" and "niño" 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.
el niño, la niña, niño(
nee
-
nyoh
)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).
1. (youngster)
a. child
Un niño necesita dormir más horas que un adulto.A child needs to sleep more hours than an adult.
b. kid (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Las novelas de Harry Potter son para niños, pero a los mayores también les gustan.Harry Potter novels are for kids, but grown-ups also love them.
d. girl (feminine)
Mi sobrina es una niña muy inteligente que saca muy buenas notas en la escuela.My niece is a very intelligent girl who does very well in school.
2. (offspring)
b. son (masculine)
Después del colegio, tengo que llevar al niño de mi hermano a una fiesta de cumpleaños.After school, I have to take my brother's son to a birthday party.
c. daughter (feminine)
Mi niña está entusiasmada por su primera fiesta de pijamas con sus amigas.My daughter is excited about her first slumber party with her friends.
3. (youth)
a. young boy (masculine)
Le di una propina al niño que me ayudó a llevar la compra a casa.I gave a tip to the young boy who helped me carry my groceries home.
b. young girl (feminine)
No puedes casarte con él; todavía eres una niña.You can't marry him; you are still a young girl.
4. (old-fashioned) (form of address) (Latin America)
A word or phrase that is seldom used in contemporary language and is recognized as being from another decade, (e.g., cat, groovy).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. master (old-fashioned) (masculine)
A word or phrase that is seldom used in contemporary language and is recognized as being from another decade, (e.g., cat, groovy).
El sirviente preparó el equipaje con la ropa de invierno del niño Peter.The servant packed the luggage with Master Peter's winter clothing.
b. lady (old-fashioned) (feminine)
A word or phrase that is seldom used in contemporary language and is recognized as being from another decade, (e.g., cat, groovy).
La niña Margarita tocó la campana y apareció el mayordomo con el té.Lady Margarita rang the bell, and the butler appeared with the tea.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
5. (not aged)
6. (immature)
a. childish
¡No seas niña! ¿Qué haces mirando los Pequeños Ponies?Don't be childish! How can you be watching My Little Ponies?
