chica
chica is a colloquial Spanish word used in Portuguese to refer to a girl or a young woman.
In Portuguese, chica is used colloquially to refer to a girl or a young woman. The term garota is used for a female, while garoto is used for a male.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions of Brazil, the colloquial term mocinha is used to refer to a young girl. Note that the word rapariga may carry derogatory connotations in some Portuguese-speaking countries outside of Portugal.
Did you know?
- The name Francisca is so historically common in Portuguese culture that its nickname chica persists even when the Spanish loanword chica is used for 'girl'.
- In many Portuguese-speaking communities, referring to a woman as a chica can feel like you are roleplaying a Spanish character rather than speaking natural Portuguese.
- Despite the similarities, chica is an imported word from Spanish and is not a native Portuguese root.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Mariana are talking about a new neighbor.
- GabrielVocê viu a chica nova?Did you see the new girl?
- MarianaSim, ela parece legal.Yes, she seems nice.
- GabrielEla é uma chica simpática.She is a friendly girl.
- MarianaEu concordo com você.I agree with you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chica, CC BY-SA 4.0.
