The Spanish word 'pollita' meaning 'young hen' comes from the Spanish word 'pollo' (meaning 'chicken') combined with the feminine diminutive suffix '-ita'. The word 'pollo' itself derives from the Latin word 'pullus', which meant 'young bird' or 'chick'. The diminutive suffix '-ita' adds the meaning of smallness or youth, making 'pollita' specifically refer to a young female chicken.

The most obvious related Spanish word is 'pollo', which is a very common word meaning 'chicken' (both the animal and the meat). This is a simpler and more frequently used word that Spanish learners often encounter early in their studies. While 'pollo' refers to chickens in general, 'pollita' specifically means a young female chicken.

While not as directly obvious, the English word 'pullet' is related to 'pollita', as it also comes from Latin 'pullus'. A pullet is specifically a young hen, usually less than a year old - exactly the same meaning as 'pollita'! The word 'poultry' is also derived from the same Latin root, though it has broadened to refer to domesticated birds raised for meat or eggs in general.