Spanish · People & Family
"Boy" in Spanish: niño
el niño
Boy in Spanish is el niño. It is masculine. Un niño means a boy. Niña is the girl form.
At a park
El niño corre hacia el columpio.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce niño
Say it
NEEN-yoh
/ˈniɲo/
NEEN-yoh. Stress neen. The ñ sounds like ny in canyon.
"Boy" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| el niño | boy; child (male) Default word for a boy. | Default word for a boy. |
| un niño | a boy Indefinite form. | Indefinite form. |
| niños | boys / kids Boys, or kids in general. | Boys, or kids in general. |
| chico | boy / guy Often older kids or young men; register varies. | Often older kids or young men; register varies. |
How to use niño in real life
- 1At a park
El niño corre hacia el columpio.
The boy runs toward the swing.
El niño is the clear default.
- 2In a store
Busco zapatos para un niño.
I'm looking for shoes for a boy.
Un niño works in shopping talk.
- 3Describing a photo
Ese niño es mi primo.
That boy is my cousin.
Ese niño points someone out.
Mistakes English speakers make with niño
Incorrect: La niño es alto.
Correct: El niño es alto.
Niño is masculine. Use el niño, un niño.
Incorrect: Vi tres niño ayer.
Correct: Vi tres niños ayer.
Plural needs -s: niños.
Good to know
Niño can mean boy or male child. For older teens people often say chico.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Finding someone in a crowd
ChatPal
¿Viste al niño de la mochila azul?
Did you see the boy with the blue backpack?
You
Sí, ese niño está junto a la fuente.
Yes, that boy is by the fountain.
ChatPal
Gracias. Voy hacia allá.
Thanks. I'm heading over there.
You
Yo también. Ese niño nos espera.
Me too. That boy is waiting for us.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Boy" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Boy" in Spanish
Is niño masculine or feminine?
Masculine: el niño. Girl is la niña.
Does niño only mean boy?
It can mean boy or male child. Context decides.
What about chico?
Chico often means boy or guy, sometimes older than niño.
How do I pronounce niño?
NEEN-yoh. The ñ is like ny in canyon.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
Keep reading
- Y in Spanish AlphabetY in spanish alphabet. Learn how y works in the Spanish alphabet, from its names (ye and i griega) to its dual consonant and vowel pronunciation
- How to Practice Speaking Spanish with AI the Smart WayLearn how to practice speaking Spanish with AI using practical routines, realistic scenarios, and feedback loops that actually build real-world fluency.
