chico flaco
/t͡ʃiko flako/from spelling rules
The English phrase "skinny boy" is translated into Spanish as chico flaco.
Chico flaco refers to a boy who has very little body fat. It can sometimes imply being underweight or scrawny.
Which one should you use?
Chico delgado is a more neutral or polite way to say "slim boy", whereas chico flaco can sometimes imply being underweight or scrawny.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural "skinny boys", use chicos flacos. In this plural form, both the noun and the adjective take the plural ending -s.
Did you know?
- The word chico has two very different possible origins. It may stem from the Latin 'ciccum' meaning a 'trifle' or 'insignificant thing', or it might be a loanword from the Yucatec Maya word 'chiʼik'.
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, calling someone flaco is not always an insult. It is frequently used as a friendly nickname or a term of endearment between close friends, regardless of their actual weight.
- While flaco describes a physical build, the phrase estar flaco focuses on a current state, whereas ser flaco describes a permanent characteristic.
Examples in context
- Ese chico flaco es mi primo.That skinny boy is my cousin.
- Ese chico flaco necesita comer más.That skinny boy needs to eat more.
- El chico flaco juega al baloncesto.The skinny boy plays basketball.
- ¿Viste al chico flaco de la camiseta roja?Did you see the skinny boy in the red t-shirt?
Example conversation
Two friends are watching children play in a park.
- DanielMira a ese chico flaco corriendo.Look at that skinny boy running.
- SofíaSí, es muy rápido.Yes, he is very fast.
- DanielParece un chico flaco y atlético.He looks like a skinny and athletic boy.
- SofíaEs verdad, tiene mucha energía.It's true, he has a lot of energy.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chico, flaco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
