niño
everyday
A boy in Mexico is a niño. In casual Mexican talk you also hear chamaco and, for an older boy or young man, muchacho.
Meaning: a male child (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| niño | everyday |
| chamaco | Mexican slang |
| muchacho | young male |
Use niño for a young child. Chamaco is informal and friendly, as in ese chamaco es muy listo. Muchacho fits a teenager or a young man.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine forms are niña, chamaca and muchacha. The plural niños can also mean "children" in general.
Did you know?
- The word chamaco is widely used across Mexico, and its feminine form is chamaca.
Examples in context
- El niño juega en el parque.The boy plays in the park.
- Ese chamaco corre muy rápido.That boy runs very fast.
- Es un muchacho muy educado.He is a very polite young man.
Example conversation
Neighbors Doña Lupe and Raquel talk about a boy on the street.
- Doña Lupe¿Ese niño es tu hijo?Is that boy your son?
- RaquelSí, es el más chamaco de los tres.Yes, he is the youngest of the three.
- Doña LupeQué guapo está.How handsome he is.
