pollito
/poˈʝito/
The English phrase "baby chicken" is translated into Spanish as pollito.
What does it mean word for word?
The word pollito is a diminutive of pollo (chicken), formed by adding the suffix -ito (little) to create the meaning "little chicken".
Which one should you use?
While pollito is the common name for a chick, you may also use the more technical or descriptive phrase cría de pollo to refer to chicken offspring or a young chicken.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form for baby chickens is pollitos. If the gender of the chicken is known to be female, use the feminine form pollita.
How do you pronounce it?
/poˈʝito/
Did you know?
- In certain Caribbean dialects, the word pollito can be used colloquially to describe someone who is naive or easily fooled.
- While pollito describes the bird, the word pollada refers to a traditional community fundraising event in countries like Peru where grilled chicken is sold.
- If you are in a very traditional or rural part of Spain, you might hear people use the word pollino to refer to a young donkey, which sounds very similar to pollito.
Examples in context
- Necesito comprar un pollito para la granja.I need to buy a baby chicken for the farm.
- En el parque, vi un polluelo corriendo detrás de su madre.In the park, I saw a baby chicken running behind its mother.
- Los pichones son tan adorables cuando están recién nacidos.Baby chickens are so adorable when they are newborns.
- El pollito es muy amarillo.The baby chicken is very yellow.
- Mira ese pollito caminando.Look at that baby chicken walking.
- Compré un pollito para la granja.I bought a baby chicken for the farm.
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are looking at animals at a farm.
- SofíaJavier, mira este pollito.Javier, look at this baby chicken.
- JavierEs muy lindo y pequeño.It is very cute and small.
- SofíaEl pollito tiene mucha hambre.The baby chicken is very hungry.
- JavierVamos a darle comida ahora.Let's give it food now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry pollito, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
