QUICK ANSWER
"Chicos" is a form of "chicos", a plural noun which is often translated as "guys". "Niño" is a noun which is often translated as "child". Learn more about the difference between "niño" and "chicos" below.
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?
los chicos, las chicas(
chee
-
kohs
)A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
1. (colloquial) (people)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. guys
Hola, chicas, ¿cómo están? ¿Vinieron sin sus novios?Hi, guys, how are you? Did you come without your boyfriends?
Bueno, chicos, yo ahora ya me despido de ustedes. - ¿Por qué te vas tan temprano?Well, guys, I'll say goodbye now. - Why are you leaving so early?
a. young people
Me dan pena esos chicos que tienen que vivir con sus padres porque no encuentran trabajo.I feel sorry for those young people who have to live with their parents because they can't find a job.
b. kids (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Los chicos se van al cine, pero los mayores nos quedaremos en casa.The kids are going to the movies, but us grown-ups will stay at home.
c. youth
Los chicos de hoy en día son mucho más libres de lo que nosotros solíamos ser.Today's youth are a lot freer than we used to be.
d. youths
"A estos chicos parece que nada les importe", dijo mi abuelo."These youths don't seem to care about anything," said my grandfather.
e. youngsters
Había unos chicos fumando marihuana en el parque.There were some youngsters smoking marihuana in the park.
f. boys (masculine)
A word or phrase that is masculine (e.g., el libro).
¿Vas a una escuela mixta? - No, solo hay chicos.Do you go to a coeducational school? - No, there are only boys.
g. girls (feminine)
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la manzana).
Aquellas chicas de allí son mis amigas.Those girls over there are my friends.
