niño pequeño
/niɲo pekeɲo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "little kid" is translated into Spanish as niño pequeño.
niño pequeño is used to describe a young child, typically of a very early age. While the word niño can mean "child" or "boy" on its own, adding the word pequeño emphasizes that the child is very young.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of niño (boy or child) and pequeño (small or little).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In various parts of Spain and Latin America, you may hear the informal terms chiquillo or chiquilla to refer to a little boy or little girl.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes to match the gender and number of the children being discussed. Use niña pequeña when referring to a single female child, and use the plural niños pequeños when referring to multiple children or a mixed-gender group.
How do you pronounce it?
/niɲo pekeɲo/
Did you know?
- The term niño is related to the English word 'nanny', as both words may have roots in the repetitive sounds used by caregivers and children.
- In some regions, the diminutive niñito is used not just for size, but to express a deep sense of affection or tenderness toward the child.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, niño is often used to describe a person's role in the family rather than their actual age.
Examples in context
- Tom no es un niño pequeño.Tom isn't a little kid.This sentence is useful for stating that Tom is not a little kid.Tatoeba #9003914 by Shishir, translation #9001356 by CK
- Cuando era un niño pequeño no me gustaba nada la oscuridad.When I was a little kid, I didn't like the dark at all.This sentence is useful for describing a personal dislike of the dark during childhood.Tatoeba #9983452 by Shishir, translation #10098156 by DJ_Saidez
- Me veo y sueno como un adulto, pero dentro de mí, aún soy un niño pequeño y juguetón.I look and sound like an adult, but I'm still a playful little kid inside.This sentence is useful for expressing that one feels like a playful little kid internally despite being an adult.Tatoeba #9494492 by dpcossio, translation #9494496 by DJ_Saidez
- ¿Cómo está tu nene?How is your little one?
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are at a park watching children play.
- MateoMira a ese niño pequeño con el globo.Look at that little kid with the balloon.
- LucíaEs muy tierno, parece que está aprendiendo a caminar.He is very cute, it looks like he is learning to walk.
- MateoSí, es un niño pequeño muy activo.Yes, he is a very active little kid.
- LucíaLos niños así tienen mucha energía.Kids like that have a lot of energy.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries niño, pequeño, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
