Spanish Conversation · Level 165
30 words
Spanish word
pobrecito
Pronunciation
IPA/poβɾeˈθito/
Meaning
- interjectionpoor thing
Example
¡Pobrecito!
Poor thing!
More examples
¡Ay, pobrecito, te voy a ayudar!
Oh, poor thing, I'm going to help you!
Core concept
Affectionate, slightly pitying exclamation toward someone with a minor setback.
Common phrases
¡ay, pobrecito!
Oh, poor thing
¡qué pobrecito!
what a poor thing
Similar words
qué pena: Short exclamation of regret or mild pity about an unfortunate situation.
qué lástima: Brief remark conveying sympathy and regret over an unlucky outcome or missed chance.
ay: Short interjection used to express pain, distress, or empathic concern.
Definition in Spanish
Expresa pena o conmiseración por alguien; es el diminutivo de 'pobre' y puede transmitir ternura o lástima leve.
Word origin
It is a diminutive of pobre formed with -cito and therefore frames pity as small and tender, with roots in Latin pauper.
Usage tips
- As an interjection the speaker's intonation determines whether it feels caring or mocking, so it usually appears among close acquaintances rather than in formal speech.
Other meanings
- you poor thingadjective
- poor little thingadjective
Opposites
- ¡enhorabuena!congratulationsinterjection
- ¡bravo!bravointerjection
Related words
- pobrepooradjective
- pobrezapovertynoun
- pobrecillopoor little thingnoun