niña
neutral, child
A girl is niña in Colombian Spanish when she is a child. For a teen or young woman, muchacha is common, and pelada is the Colombian slang version.
Meaning: young female person (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| niña | neutral, child |
| muchacha | neutral, teen or young woman |
| pelada | slang, Colombia |
Niña also works as a warm way to address a woman of any age, as in mi niña. The boy equivalents are niño, muchacho and pelado.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Pelada and pelado are very Colombian, but they can sound disrespectful in formal settings. Use muchacha there.
Did you know?
- Colombians sometimes use mi niña for adult daughters, nieces or younger women they care about.
Examples in context
- Esa niña canta muy bien.That girl sings very well.
- Las muchachas están en el parque.The girls are in the park.
- Esa pelada es muy simpática.That girl is very nice.
Example conversation
Gloria asks a mother about her daughter at a school in Cali.
- Gloria¿Esa niña es tu hija?Is that girl your daughter?
- MadreSí, tiene siete años.Yes, she is seven years old.
- GloriaEs muy linda.She is very pretty.
