pobre chica
/pobɾe t͡ʃika/from spelling rules
The English phrase "poor girl" is translated into Spanish as pobre chica.
This phrase refers to a girl or young woman who has very little money. However, the meaning can shift depending on word order to express either financial status or emotional sympathy.
Which one should you use?
There is a subtle difference in meaning based on where you place the adjective pobre. When you say pobre chica, placing the adjective before the noun often expresses sympathy or pity for the girl's situation. If you want to emphasize her lack of financial resources in a literal or economic sense, you should use chica pobre.
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the plural "poor girls", you must pluralize both the adjective and the noun, resulting in pobres chicas.
How do you pronounce it?
/pobɾe tʃika/
Did you know?
- While pobre chica describes a girl, Spanish speakers often use pobre diablo to describe a man who is pitiful or insignificant. This translates literally as 'poor devil'.
- The word pobre is a direct relative of the English word 'pauper', meaning they share the same Latin ancestor.
- In Spanish, using pobre to express pity can be seen as condescending rather than supportive. Depending on the tone, it can imply that the person is helpless or inferior.
Examples in context
- La pobre chica se ganaba la vida vendiendo flores.The poor girl made a living by selling flowers.This sentence shows how to use pobre chica to describe a girl's livelihood.Tatoeba #1708284 by Shishir, translation #63448 by CM
- No consigo ponerme en su piel, lo que debe de estar pasando esa pobre chica…I can't even begin to imagine what that poor girl is going through.This sentence uses pobre chica to express empathy for someone's struggles.Tatoeba #1430859 by Shishir, translation #10056892 by DJ_Saidez
- La pobre chica estaba a punto de morir.The poor girl was near death.This sentence uses pobre chica to describe a girl's critical condition.Tatoeba #12847881 by Teangloir, translation #12811929 by CK
- ¡Pobrecita, la niña no tiene juguetes para jugar!Poor girl, she doesn't have any toys to play with!
- Es desgarrador ver a una joven desfavorecida en situaciones tan difíciles.It's heartbreaking to see a disadvantaged young girl in such difficult situations.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are talking about a girl in their neighborhood.
- LucíaEsa pobre chica no tiene dinero para el alquiler.That poor girl has no money for the rent.
- AlejandroEs verdad, necesita encontrar un trabajo pronto.It's true, she needs to find a job soon.
- LucíaMe gustaría ayudar a la pobre chica.I would like to help the poor girl.
- AlejandroYo también, busquemos una solución juntos.Me too, let's find a solution together.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pobre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
