Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Child in Spanish: Niño / Niña
Niño / Niña · noun · NEE-nyoh / NEE-nyah
The most common Spanish translation for child is niño for a boy and niña for a girl. Spanish distinguishes grammatical gender, so choosing the correct form depends on the child's gender. When referring to children in general or a mixed group, the masculine plural niños is traditionally used.
NEE-nyoh (masculine) · NEE-nyah (feminine)
El niño aprendió a montar en bicicleta este verano.
The child learned to ride a bicycle this summer.
Child in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for child, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| niño / niña | child | NEE-nyoh / NEE-nyah | Default, widely understood |
| hijo / hija | child | Means son/daughter, emphasizing the parent–child relationship | |
| menor | child | Legal term meaning minor or underage person | |
| criatura | child | Colloquial in Spain and parts of Latin America for a small child or baby |
How Native Speakers Use Niño / Niña
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
At the park
La niña jugaba con su perro en el parque.
The girl was playing with her dog in the park.
Describing a child engaged in an outdoor activity.
Family context
Tienen tres hijos: dos niños y una niña.
They have three children: two boys and one girl.
Using hijo alongside niño to describe family composition.
Legal setting
Los menores de edad no pueden entrar sin un adulto.
Minors cannot enter without an adult.
Formal or legal context using menor instead of niño.
Affectionate speech
¡Pobre criatura, tiene mucha fiebre!
Poor little one, they have a high fever!
Colloquial, tender usage common in Spain when referring to a small child.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Niño / Niña
Using niño for son in a family context
Incorrect: Soy el niño de María.
Correct: Soy el hijo de María.
When expressing 'I am María's child' in the sense of her son or daughter, use hijo/hija. Niño/niña refers to a young person by age, not by familial relationship.
Forgetting gender agreement
Incorrect: La niño está dormida.
Correct: La niña está dormida.
The article and noun must match in gender. La requires the feminine form niña, not the masculine niño.
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Why word lists alone don't stick
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See Niño / Niña used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using niño / niña in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El niño aprendió a montar en bicicleta este verano. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Child in Spanish
- Up to what age is someone called a niño in Spanish?
- There is no strict cutoff, but niño/niña is generally used for children up to about 12 years old. After that, adolescente or joven becomes more appropriate.
- What does chico or chica mean compared to niño?
- Chico/chica can mean boy/girl but often refers to teenagers or young adults. It is more casual and broader in age range than niño/niña, which specifically suggests a young child.
- How do you say 'children' as a group in Spanish?
- The standard plural is niños, which can refer to a group of boys or a mixed-gender group. Niñas is used for an all-girl group. In inclusive language discussions, some speakers use niños y niñas or alternative forms.