What does chica mean?
"Chica" is an informal English borrowing from Spanish, where it simply means a girl or a young woman. In American English it is used conversationally, often with a warm or playful tone, and it appears most frequently in areas of the United States with close cultural ties to Spanish, such as California, Texas, and the Southwest. A speaker might greet a friend with "Hey, chica" or refer to a group of female friends as "the chicas." The word's masculine counterpart is "chico," meaning a boy or young man. Because of its casual register, "chica" suits dialogue, social settings, and informal prose rather than formal or academic writing, though its borrowed status gives it a lively, bilingual flavor that many writers find appealing.
nounAn informal term for a girl or young woman, borrowed from Spanish and used chiefly in American English, especially in the southwestern United States.
- A girl or young woman (informal, from Spanish).
""Hola, chica," he said, greeting his old friend with a grin."
"The chicas gathered at the café every Friday evening."
"She called out to her sister, "Come on, chica, we're going to be late!""
Regular plural, following the Spanish pluralization retained in English.
"The chicas arrived together, laughing and arm in arm."
English speakers borrowed "chica" straight from the Spanish playground — it's literally just the everyday word for "girl."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of chica
"Chica" comes directly from Spanish, where it is the feminine form of "chico," meaning boy. The further origin of the Spanish word is debated among etymologists, so its deeper roots cannot be stated with certainty. English adopted the term through contact with Spanish speakers, particularly in the Americas, and it remains a recognizable loanword rather than a fully naturalized formal vocabulary item.
How chica is actually used
Informal and colloquial. Because it comes from Spanish, it is most at home in American English, particularly in regions with strong Hispanic influence. It carries a friendly, casual tone and should be avoided in formal writing.
Easily confused with chica
"Chic" means stylishly elegant, while "chica" is a noun meaning a girl or young woman.
"Chico" is the masculine counterpart in Spanish, meaning a boy or young man.