niño blanco
/niɲo blanko/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the English phrase white kid is niño blanco.
The term niño blanco refers to a white child.
Which one should you use?
While niño blanco specifically implies a young child, chico blanco is more commonly used for a boy or a teenager.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes to the feminine form niña blanca when referring to a girl. The plural form is niños blancos, which uses the masculine plural to refer to a group of white children or a mixed group of boys and girls.
Did you know?
- The term niño may not be a formal Latin derivative, but instead an imitative word meant to mimic the babbling sounds of an infant.
- While niño means 'child' it can also be used as a term of endearment for adults in certain contexts. A partner or a grown child might be called mi niño regardless of their age.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, describing a child's skin tone with adjectives like blanco can be a way to describe their complexion or health rather than just their race.
Examples in context
- Jose: ¿Conoces al niño blanco de pelo rubio? María: Sí, es mi vecino. Se llama Miguel.Jose: Do you know the white kid with blonde hair? María: Yes, he is my neighbor. His name is Miguel.
- Ese niño blanco corre muy rápido.That white kid runs very fast.
- Vi a un niño blanco en el parque.I saw a white kid in the park.
- El niño blanco tiene el pelo rubio.The white kid has blond hair.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are looking at a photo of a playground.
- Daniel¿Ves a ese niño blanco?Do you see that white kid?
- MaríaSí, es el hijo de mi vecina.Yes, he is my neighbor's son.
- DanielParece un niño muy travieso.He looks like a very mischievous kid.
- MaríaSí, es muy inquieto.Yes, he is very restless.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries blanco, niño, CC BY-SA 4.0.
