Spanish · People & Family
"Child" in Spanish: niño / niña
el niño / la niña
Note: also: la criatura
Child is el niño or la niña. Match the ending: niño for a boy, niña for a girl. Niños can mean kids in general.
How to pronounce niña: audio and sound guideAt a park
Ese niño juega con la pelota.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce niño / niña
Say it
NEEN-yoh / NEEN-yah
/ˈniɲo/ /ˈniɲa/
NEEN-yoh / NEEN-yah. Stress neen. The ñ sounds like ny in canyon.
"Child" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| el niño / la niña | child (boy / girl) Default gendered pair. | Default gendered pair. |
| los niños | children / kids Mixed group or kids in general. | Mixed group or kids in general. |
| un niño / una niña | a child Indefinite forms. | Indefinite forms. |
| la criatura | little one / child Softer alternate noted on the entry. | Softer alternate noted on the entry. |
How to use niño / niña in real life
- 1At a park
Ese niño juega con la pelota.
That boy is playing with the ball.
Niño for a male child.
- 2At school
La niña lee en voz alta.
The girl is reading out loud.
Niña for a female child.
- 3Group talk
Los niños ya comieron.
The kids already ate.
Niños often means children in general.
Mistakes English speakers make with niño / niña
Incorrect: La niño llora.
Correct: El niño llora. / La niña llora.
Match gender: el niño or la niña.
Incorrect: Hay muchos niño en el parque.
Correct: Hay muchos niños en el parque.
Plural needs -s: niños.
Good to know
Good to knowNiño and niña are everyday words for a child. They also mean boy and girl.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Watching kids at a playground
ChatPal
¿Cuál es tu niño?
Which one is your child?
You
El niño de la gorra roja.
The boy in the red cap.
ChatPal
Ah, sí. Corre muy rápido.
Ah, yes. He runs very fast.
You
Sí, mi niño nunca se cansa.
Yes, my kid never gets tired.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Child" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Child" in Spanish
How do gender forms work?
Niño for a boy, niña for a girl. Niños for mixed kids.
Does niño also mean boy?
Yes. Context tells you child vs boy.
What is criatura?
A softer alternate for a little child.
How do I pronounce niño?
NEEN-yoh. The ñ is like ny in canyon.
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