chico de campo
/t͡ʃiko de kampo/from spelling rules
In Spanish, a country boy is called chico de campo.
This phrase describes a male person who grew up in or lives in a rural area.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase chico de campo is composed of chico (boy), de (of) and campo (countryside/field).
Which one should you use?
While chico de campo is a standard way to express this, muchacho de campo serves as a common alternative. Chico del campo specifically refers to a boy from the fields.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you may hear the phrase chaval del campo used to describe a country boy. In Argentina, the slang term gaucho might be used to describe country boys.
Did you know?
- In certain Spanish-speaking regions, calling someone a campesino is a double-edged sword. While it can mean 'farmer' with respect, it is often used as a social slur to suggest a person is uneducated or uncivilized.
- The word chico may have been borrowed from the Yucatec Maya word chiʼik, which means 'small'.
- While chico de campo is descriptive, the term gaucho carries a strong cultural identity of independence and skill in Argentina and Uruguay.
Examples in context
- Juan es un joven rural originario de un pequeño pueblo en el interior del país.Juan is a country boy originally from a small town in the interior of the country.
- El nuevo estudiante, Pedro, es un chico rural muy amable y trabajador.The new student, Pedro, is a very kind and hardworking country boy.
- ¡Roberto es todo un chico del campo! Cuida a sus animales y siempre está en contacto con la naturaleza.Roberto is a real country boy! He takes care of his animals and is always in touch with nature.
- Me encanta la personalidad de Luis. Es un niño de la campiña, siempre alegre y lleno de vida.I love Luis' personality. He's a country boy, always cheerful and full of life.
- Él es un chico de campo muy trabajador.He is a very hardworking country boy.
- A veces me siento como un chico de campo.Sometimes I feel like a country boy.
- Ese chico de campo sabe mucho sobre la naturaleza.That country boy knows a lot about nature.
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are talking about Javier's upbringing in a village.
- Elena¿Te gusta vivir en la ciudad, Javier?Do you like living in the city, Javier?
- JavierNo, yo soy un chico de campo.No, I am a country boy.
- ElenaSe nota que te gusta la tranquilidad.It shows that you like the peace and quiet.
- JavierSí, extraño mucho mi pueblo.Yes, I miss my village a lot.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries campo, chico, de, CC BY-SA 4.0.
