chica alta
/t͡ʃika alta/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "tall girl" is translated as chica alta.
The phrase chica alta is used to describe a girl or young woman who has a greater than average height.
Which one should you use?
The opposite of chica alta is chica baja, which means "short girl".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain regions such as Argentina or Uruguay, you may encounter the slang term mina alta to refer to a tall girl.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective alta must agree in gender with the feminine noun chica. If you wish to say "a tall girl", you should add the indefinite article una before the phrase to get una chica alta.
How do you pronounce it?
/tʃika alta/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use the masculine adjective with the feminine noun. Saying chica alto is grammatically incorrect.
Did you know?
- In Spain, if a woman is exceptionally tall, people might describe her as un poste, which literally translates to 'a lamp post'.
- While chica alta is standard, in Mexico you might hear the colloquial term estirada to describe someone tall, which can also double as a critique of someone being arrogant.
- The word alta comes from the Latin altus, which meant both 'high' and 'deep'. In some archaic Spanish contexts, this duality still influences poetic descriptions.
Examples in context
- María es una chica alta y elegante.María is a tall and elegant girl.
- La joven alta que conocimos es una excelente estudiante.The tall young girl we met is an excellent student.
- ¡Mira a esa chica alta! Debe jugar básquetbol.Look at that tall girl! She must play basketball.
- Conocí a una chica alta y delgada en la fiesta de ayer.I met a tall and slim girl at yesterday's party.
- Ella es una chica alta.She is a tall girl.
- Busco a una chica alta para el equipo.I am looking for a tall girl for the team.
- Mi hermana es una chica alta.My sister is a tall girl.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are looking for their friend in a crowd.
- Alejandro¿Dónde está María?Where is María?
- LucíaEs aquella chica alta de allí.She is that tall girl over there.
- AlejandroAh, sí, ya la veo.Ah, yes, I see her now.
- LucíaVamos a saludarla, Lucía.Let's go greet her, Lucía.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
