chavala
everyday, Nicaragua
In Nicaragua a girl is often a chavala, and a boy is a chavalo. Muchacha is the neutral word, and niña is for a young child.
Meaning: young female person (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| chavala | everyday, Nicaragua |
| muchacha | neutral |
| niña | child |
Nicaraguans use chavala for a girl or young woman in casual speech, for example Esa chavala es mi prima. Niña fits a small girl.
Which one should you use?
In Mexico chavala is understood as slang, but in Nicaragua it is a normal everyday word.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form is chavalo, and the plurals are chavalos and chavalas. Chavalos can mean a group of kids of both sexes.
Did you know?
- Nicaraguans themselves are nicknamed nicas, and a local boy is a chavalo.
Examples in context
- Esa chavala es mi hermana.That girl is my sister.
- La muchacha llegó temprano.The girl arrived early.
- La niña juega en el patio.The little girl plays in the yard.
Example conversation
Friends Rafael and Daniela, in Granada, talk about a girl who just joined their class.
- RafaelDaniela, ¿quién es esa chavala?Daniela, who is that girl?
- DanielaEs nueva, se llama Alejandra.She is new, her name is Alejandra.
- RafaelVamos a saludarla.Let us go say hello.
