chica
everyday
Everyday Spanish uses chica. Slang changes by country: chava in Mexico, piba in Argentina and tía in Spain.
Meaning: a young woman or girl (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| chica | everyday |
| Chava | slang, Mexico |
| Piba | slang, Argentina |
| Tía | slang, Spain |
These words are friendly among people of the same age. Chica is polite everywhere, so use it if you are unsure.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Chava goes with chavo for a boy in Mexico. Piba goes with pibe. In Spain tía also means "aunt", but between young people una tía is simply "a girl" and is informal.
What mistakes should you avoid?
In Spain tía can sound rude if used about someone you do not know well, so stay with chica there.
Did you know?
- Piba comes from the Argentine slang called lunfardo.
Examples in context
- Esa chava es mi compañera de clase.That girl is my classmate.
- La piba que vino ayer es mi prima.The girl who came yesterday is my cousin.
- Conocí a una chica muy simpática.I met a very nice girl.
Example conversation
Dani asks his friend about a new student in Mexico City.
- Dani¿Quién es esa chava?Who is that girl?
- MemoEs nueva, se llama Lupe.She is new, her name is Lupe.
- DaniQué buena onda se ve.She looks really nice.
