The Spanish word 'pobrecito' (meaning 'poor little one') comes from combining the Spanish word 'pobre' (meaning 'poor') with the diminutive suffix '-cito'. The base word 'pobre' itself derives from the Latin word 'pauper', which also meant 'poor'. The addition of the diminutive suffix '-cito' adds a sense of smallness and often conveys sympathy or endearment, transforming the simple concept of 'poor' into the more emotionally charged 'poor little one' or 'poor dear'.

This word is commonly used as a term of sympathy or pity in Spanish, similar to saying 'poor thing' or 'poor little thing' in English. The diminutive suffix makes the expression more tender and compassionate than just using 'pobre' alone.

The most obvious related Spanish word is 'pobre', which simply means 'poor'. While 'pobre' can be used to describe economic poverty, it's also commonly used like 'pobrecito' to express pity or sympathy, just without the diminutive aspect. Other related forms include 'pobreza' (poverty) and 'empobrecer' (to become poor).

The suffix '-cito' is a very common diminutive in Spanish that you'll see in many other words, like 'chiquito' (from 'chico', meaning small), 'gatito' (from 'gato', meaning cat), or 'poquito' (from 'poco', meaning little).

The English words 'pauper' and 'poverty' are cognates of 'pobrecito', all stemming from the Latin 'pauper'. 'Pauper' entered English directly from Latin and maintains its meaning of 'a very poor person', while 'poverty' came through Old French and refers to the state of being poor.

The English word 'impoverish' is also related, having been formed from the same Latin root. You can see how the 'pover-' part of 'impoverish' resembles the Spanish 'pobre'.