pobrecita
/pobɾeθita/from spelling rules
The English phrase "poor her" is translated into Spanish as pobrecita.
pobrecita is an expression used to show sympathy or pity for a woman or girl.
Which one should you use?
While the word pobre means poor in terms of wealth, pobrecita is used specifically to express pity or sympathy regardless of financial status.
How does it change in a sentence?
pobrecita is the feminine singular version of the expression.
How do you pronounce it?
/pobɾeθita/
Did you know?
- While pobrecita is a common way to show sympathy, using it with a sarcastic tone can transform a kind expression into a biting insult that mocks someone's perceived weakness.
- Spanish speakers often use the diminutive ending -cita not to indicate small size, but to soften the emotion and make the expression sound more affectionate.
- Depending on the region, the pronunciation of the 'c' in pobrecita changes from a 'th' sound in Spain to an 's' sound in Latin America.
Examples in context
- María ha estado enferma toda la semana. ¡Pobrecita!María has been sick all week. Poor her!
- Ana no pudo asistir a la boda de su hermana. ¡Qué pena para ella!Ana couldn't attend her sister's wedding. What a shame for her!
- ¡Mi amiga se cayó y se lastimó! ¡Pobre!My friend fell down and got hurt! Poor her!
- No puede salir con nosotros esta noche porque tiene que trabajar. ¡Ay, la pobre!She can't go out with us tonight because she has to work. Oh, the poor thing!
- ¡Pobrecita, se cayó!Poor thing, she fell!
- Pobrecita, se siente muy mal.Poor her, she feels very sick.
- ¡Pobrecita! Perdió su juguete favorito.Poor her! She lost her favorite toy.
- La pobre niña está llorando, pobrecita.The poor girl is crying, poor her.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are talking about a friend who lost her job.
- AlejandroSofía, a María despidieron hoy.Sofía, María was fired today.
- Sofía¡No puede ser! Pobrecita.No way! Poor her.
- AlejandroSí, ella necesitaba mucho ese trabajo.Yes, she really needed that job.
- SofíaVoy a llamarla ahora mismo.I am going to call her right now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
