what does what's up essay mean in spanish

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How to Say “Essay” in Spanish: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you looking to expand your Spanish vocabulary and express yourself more fluently? Learning how to say “essay” in Spanish is a vital step in becoming a proficient Spanish speaker and writer. In this guide, we will explore both formal and informal ways to express this term, while also providing you with useful tips, examples, and regional variations. Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

Formal Ways to Say “Essay” in Spanish

When it comes to a formal context, such as educational or professional settings, you can use the following terms:

The most common and widely accepted translation for “essay” in Spanish is “ensayo.” This term applies to both academic essays and literary compositions and is commonly used across Spanish-speaking regions. For example:

El profesor nos pidió que escribiéramos un ensayo sobre la importancia de la educación. (The professor asked us to write an essay about the importance of education.)

Another formal term that can be used interchangeably with “ensayo” is “trabajo.” This translation is more commonly used in academic contexts, particularly when referring to written assignments. For instance:

El estudiante está trabajando en su último trabajo de historia. (The student is working on his/her final essay for history.)

Informal Ways to Say “Essay” in Spanish

When speaking with friends or in more casual contexts, you may prefer to use the following alternatives:

1. Redacción

“Redacción” is a common term used to refer to essays in a more informal setting. It is often used when discussing written compositions without the strict academic connotations. Here’s an example:

Ayer tuve que hacer una redacción sobre mis vacaciones de verano. (Yesterday, I had to write an essay about my summer vacation.)

2. Ensayito

For a diminutive and more affectionate term, you can use “ensayito.” This variation is akin to saying “little essay” in English, adding a touch of informality and endearment to your speech. Here’s an example:

Juanita siempre escribe unos ensayitos muy interesantes. (Juanita always writes very interesting little essays.)

Regional Variations

While the terms mentioned above are widely understood across Spanish-speaking regions, it’s worth noting that variations may exist. Here are a few examples of regional alternatives:

1. Composición (Latin America)

In Latin America, especially in countries like Mexico and Colombia, “composición” is commonly used instead of “ensayo” or “trabajo” when referring to essays. For example:

Hoy tengo que entregar una composición sobre la historia del arte. (Today, I have to submit an essay about art history.)

2. Tarea (Spain)

In Spain, “tarea” is frequently used to refer to written assignments, including essays. Keep in mind that “tarea” has a broader meaning and can also encompass other types of homework or tasks. Here’s an example:

La profesora nos asignó una tarea sobre el cambio climático. (The teacher assigned us an essay on climate change.)

Tips for Writing an Essay in Spanish

Whether you are a Spanish learner or a native speaker looking to improve your writing skills, these tips will help you craft a compelling essay:

1. Use a Variety of Vocabulary

Avoid repetitive language by incorporating different synonyms, idiomatic expressions, and specialized terms relevant to the topic. This will showcase your command of the language and make your essay more engaging to read.

2. Structure Your Essay Properly

An essay should have a clear introduction, body paragraphs with supporting evidence or arguments, and a conclusion. Make sure to organize your thoughts and ideas coherently to ensure a logical flow throughout your essay.

3. Proofread and Edit

Take the time to proofread your essay for grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes. Consider asking a native Spanish speaker or a trusted language professional to review your work and provide feedback.

4. Read Essays by Native Spanish Writers

Reading essays written by native Spanish speakers can expose you to a range of writing styles, vocabulary, and grammatical structures. This exposure will help you develop a better understanding of what makes a well-written essay in Spanish.

Congratulations! You now have a comprehensive understanding of how to say “essay” in Spanish. Remember to consider the context and formality of the situation to choose the most appropriate term. Use the formal terms “ensayo” or “trabajo” when in professional or academic environments, and opt for “redacción” or “ensayito” in informal conversations with friends. Don’t forget to keep practicing your writing skills and explore different vocabulary to create compelling essays. ¡Buena suerte!

Related Guides:

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• Guide on How to Say “And More” in an Essay
• Guide: How to Say “As Mentioned Earlier” in an Essay
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15 Wonderful Ways to Say ‘What’s up’ in Spanish

It’s pretty easy to learn the most common greetings in Spanish; just throw a ‘buenos días ‘ or ‘hola ‘ into the mix and you’re sure to be understood.

However, if you want to up your game and have something up your sleeve in all situations, learning how to say the more colloquial ‘ what’s up ’ definitely won´t go amiss!

There’s a huge variety of expressions used to ask somebody ‘ what’s up ’ in Spanish and Mexico, in particular, has an abundance of fantastic phrases, not to mention all their whimsical variations.

If you happen upon some of these expressions unprepared, you may well be left pondering what exactly the city of Pachuca has to do with the city of Toluca … or why your ‘chilango ‘ friend greeted you with the word ‘ fart ’!

Anyway, buckle up those seatbelts and lets get into it!

The literal – but not entirely helpful – translation of ‘qué onda’ would be ‘what wave’ ; which, to be fair, paints a picture, but maybe one of sunny beaches rather than greeting someone informally or asking about their life.

The origin of this phrase is a bit obscure, but the use of the word ‘onda’ in colloquial speech can be traced back to the sixties.

Some of the groovy writers from that decade often talked about being on a certain frequency or vibe … so it’s not too farfetched to translate ‘qué onda’ to ‘what’s vibing’ . (Ya dig?)

Nowadays it’s just used as a general greeting –

Diana – ¿Qué onda? ¿Cómo te fue en el partido de ayer?

Andrea – Perdimos. Nos metieron cinco goles.

Diana – What’s up? How did the match go yesterday?

Andrea – We lost. They scored five goals against us.

Ramón – ¿Qué onda contigo? ¿Por qué le hablaste tan feo a Rodrigo?

Alexa – Estoy enojada con él. ¡Me dejó plantada en el cine!

Ramón – What’s up with you? Why were you so rude to Rodrigo?

Alexa – I’m mad at him. He stood me up at the movies!

¿Qué hongo? / ¿Qué ondita? / ¿Qué honduras?

Sound familiar?

Well, that’s because these expressions are all just variations of ‘ qué onda ’!

As ‘ qué onda ’ gained popularity, people began to replace ‘onda’ with similar sounding words, blessing us with the following: ‘qué hongo’ (what mushroom’ ), ‘qué ondita’ (what little wave’ ), and ‘qué Honduras’ ( ‘what Honduras’ … yes, the country!).

Paulo – ¿Qué hongo, wey?

Jimena – Aquí descansado. ¿Qué hongo contigo?

Paulo – What’s up, dude?

Jimena – Just relaxing. What’s up with you?

¿Qué pedo (wey)? – What’s up, (bro)?

This one’s a very common greeting amongst ‘chilangos’ (slang for people who live in Mexico City), and it literally translates to ‘what fart’ .

Asking about bodily gases may seem like an offensive way of greeting someone, but it has become extremely commonplace in certain parts of Mexico.

If you hear it, take it as a sign that your interlocutor is being friendly. Just be mindful of where and when you use it because it’s not appropriate in more formal situations.

My advice: don’t greet anybody like this until you’ve reached a certain level of trust …

Ricardo – ¿Qué pedo, wey ? ¡Años sin verte!

Alberto – ¡Wey, qué gusto verte por aquí!

Ricardo – What’s up, bro? Long time no see!

Alberto – Bro! So nice to see you here!

Sometimes we need to tone an expression down without stripping it of its impact, and that’s exactly what ‘qué pex’ is.

It’s basically a less vulgar variation of ‘ qué pedo ’; ‘pex’ isn’t actually a word, but it sounds pretty similar to ‘pedo’ . You might even hear kids using ‘ qué pex ’ or the even gentler ‘qué pez’ ( ‘what fish’ ).

Just keep in mind that it’s still an informal phrase, so tread carefully!

Un pre-adolescente en el parque para perros

 ¡Jaja! ¡Qué pex con ese perro! ¡Está bien loquito!

A preteen at the dog park

Haha! What’s up with that dog? It’s really crazy!

¿Quiubo? / ¿Quiúbole? / ¿Quiúboles?

This strange word and it’s many variations are used in both Mexico AND Colombia, so don’t be surprised if you overhear it in either country!

‘Quiubo’ is a contraction of the phrase ‘qué hubo’ , which is yet another way to say ‘ what’s up ’! Whack a ‘ le’ on the end and you get ‘ quiúbole ’, a very Mexican expression kind of similar to other (yes, again, Mexican) interjections such as ‘órale’ , ‘chale’ and ‘ándale’ .

To make things even more complicated, you’ll likely hear this last one both with or without an ‘s’ : ‘quiúbole’ and ‘quiúboles’ .

Saludando a un vecino en Colombia

¿Quiubo, parce? ¿Para dónde va?

Greeting a neighbor in Colombia

What’s up, bro? Where are you going?

Un taquero en la Ciudad de México

¿Quiúboles, carnal? ¿Tu orden va a ser con o sin cebolla?

A ‘taquero’ (the person in charge of a taco stand) in Mexico City

What’s up, bro? Will your order be with or without onions?

Erika’s note – if you want to learn more about the subtleties of this unusual word, I highly recommend you take a peek at our article on the different meanings and uses of ‘quiúbole’ .

This one literally translate to ‘what is there’ , and it’s a very colloquial way of asking ‘what’s up’ that you can use in pretty much every Spanish-speaking country.

As with all the other phrases on this list, it’s quite informal … though you might sometimes hear it in formal situations, during more laid-back business meetings, for example.

Fun fact: in the Latin American dubbing of Looney Tunes, Bugs Bunny greets everybody with ‘¿Qué hay de nuevo, viejo?’ instead of his signature ‘What’s up, Doc?’ .

¿Qué hay? ¿Cómo está la familia?

What’s up? How’s the family doing?

¿Qué pasa? / ¿Qué pasó?

The only difference between these two popular ways of saying ‘ what´s up ’ is that they use different conjugations of the verb ‘pasar’ (‘to happen’ ).

‘Pasa’ is the present tense (third personal singular), and ‘pasó’ the simple past, but both ‘ qué pasa ‘ and ‘ qué pasó ‘ are used as informal greetings with no difference in meaning.

Just remember that context is everything, so if you hear either one of these phrases as part of a sentence (i.e., not used as a greeting), you´ll have to translate them accordingly.

¿Qué pasa, morro? ¿Por qué esa carita triste?

What’s up, kid? Why the sad face?

¿Qué pasó, Carolina? ¡Me da gusto saludarte!

What’s up, Carolina? It’s good to see you!

Erika’s note – we´ve actually written a whole article on the intricacies of ‘qué pasó ‘, so be sure to check it out!

¿Qué pasión?

‘ What passion?’ is what you’d be asking by greeting someone with, ‘¿Qué pasión?’ .

Are you asking about their greatest passion in life?

‘Pasión’ is pronounced similarly to ‘pasa’ , so ‘qué pasión’ is just a fun variation of ‘qué pasa’ or ‘qué pasó’ .

¡Qué pasión, Lupita! ¿Cómo has estado?

What’s up, Lupita? How have you been?

¿Qué Pachuca por Toluca?

Speaking of phonetics, sometimes a mere syllable is enough to get Mexican’s creative juices flowing. That’s the case with (‘ qué ’) Pachuca, the capital city of the Hidalgo state, which shares its first syllable with ‘pasa’ .

And what does Toluca, a town in the State of Mexico have to do with it?

Well, it rhymes with Pachuca …

So now you know that if someone asks you, ‘qué Pachuca por Toluca’ , it’s NOT an invitation to visit these two Mexican cities … it’s just another way of saying, ‘what’s up!’ .

Ruperto se encuentra con un amigo en la calle

¡Qué Pachuca por Toluca, mi hermano! ¿Qué haces por acá?

Ruperto bumps into his friend on the street

What’s up, brother! What are you doing here?

¿Qué cuentas?

‘What do you tell?’ would be the literal translation of ‘qué cuentas’ , and it’s a very common way of greeting someone in both informal and (slightly) more formal settings.

‘Qué cuentas’ is basically just an invitation to chat about everything that’s been going on in your life.

Dos amigas al teléfono

¡Hola, Brenda! ¿Qué cuentas?

No mucho…aquí terminando de hacer la tarea, ¿y tú?

Two friends chatting over the phone

Hi, Brenda! What’s up?

Not much … just finishing my homework, and you?

¿Qué transa? / ¿Qué tranza?

One of Mexico City’s trademark greetings is ‘qué transa’ , a phrase which is confusing even to the rest of the Spanish-speaking world.

Well, the Spanish Academy of Language defines the word ‘transa’ as ‘a cheat’ or ‘a swindler’ …

… but fear not, if someone greets you with ‘ qué transa ‘ in Mexico, it’s just meant as an innocent ‘ what’s up ’.

There’s a bit of debate regarding this phrase’s origin. Some say ‘transa’ is short for ‘transacción’ ( ‘transaction’ in English), so it could mean something like ‘what’s the deal’ . Others claim that ‘qué transa’ is derived from the expression ‘qué transita por tus venas’ (or ‘what is going through your veins’ ).

Either way, you’ll also come across the word ‘transa’ spelled with a ‘z’ , which makes even less sense. ‘Tranzar’ means ‘to chop’ or ‘to weave branches’ .

Yeah, this one seems to have weaved itself beyond disentanglement …

At least you now know that it’s a fairly common greeting!

En un puesto de comida en el centro de la Ciudad de México

¿Qué tranza, mi valedor? ¿Qué te voy a dar?

At a food stand in downtown Mexico City

What’s up, bro? What can I get you?

‘Hey guys, what’s up’ in Spanish

The closest equivalent in Spanish to ‘hey guys’ would be ‘hola, chicos’ .

Other translations include the colloquial ‘hola, banda’ ( as in a music band; a term popularized by the song ‘ Chilanga Banda’ by Café Tacuba), or even ‘hey, chicos’ , ‘hey, banda’ (in countries like Mexico where “Spanglish” is extremely common).

Whack any of the above listed phrases on the end to complete the phrase ‘ Hey, guys. What´s up? ´ –

¡Hola, chicos! ¿Qué onda?

¡Hola, banda! ¿Qué pedo?

Hey, banda, ¿qué cuentan?

‘What’s going on’ in Spanish

To ask ‘What’s going on?’ in Spanish, you could say ‘¿Qué está pasando?’ .

Remember the verb ‘pasar’ in the phrase ‘qué pasa’ ? Well, ‘está pasando’ is its present continuous form. This is the “standard” translation of ‘what’s going on’ .

¿Qué está pasando en tu vida? ¡Cuéntamelo todo!

What’s going on in your life? Tell me everything!

It’s also worth mentioning that all of the above listed phrases could be used in this sense, even if only in more casual situations.

Dos hermanos están peleando a gritos

Hermano 1 – ¡No fue así wey!

Hermano 2 – ¡Es que no te entra en la cabeza!

Hermano 3 – ¿Qué onda? ¿Por qué están peleando?

Two brothers are shouting at one another

Brother 1 – That’s not what happened!

Brother 2 – You just can’t get it through your thick skull!

Brother 3 – What’s going on? Why are you arguing?

Final thoughts

Phew! That’s all for today!

Greeting a person can be a great opportunity to bond and throwing one of the above expressions into the mix is likely to serve as an excellent icebreaker in almost any informal situation (yes, that’s right, ‘ qué Pachuca por Toluca ’ isn’t suitable in an office environment!).

Some of the above expressions are really colloquial, so you’re definitely going to surprise your Spanish-speaking friends. I hope you enjoy using them!

¡Hasta luego!

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• I want to finish off this essay before I go to bed .
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• Have you handed in your history essay yet ?
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(Translation of essay from the Cambridge English-Spanish Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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(Translation of essay from the GLOBAL English-Spanish Dictionary © 2020 K Dictionaries Ltd)

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How to write a why us essay, what does essay mean in spanish.

In the world of language learning, understanding the meaning of words across different languages is a fascinating endeavor. One such word that often captures the attention of language enthusiasts is “essay.” In this guide, we will explore what the word “essay” means in Spanish, its cultural significance, and provide valuable insights for those interested in writing essays in Spanish.

Unveiling the Translation: The Meaning of “Essay” in Spanish

When we try to find the Spanish translation for the English word “essay,” we come across the term “ensayo.” The word “ensayo” carries the essence of an essay, representing a written composition that presents a coherent argument or explores a specific topic. It is a versatile term used in various contexts, such as academic, literary, and even journalistic writing. If you’re interested in diving deeper into Spanish or other languages, online language tutoring services can be a valuable resource. They provide personalized guidance to help you understand the usage in different contexts.

Exploring Cultural Nuances: The Cultural Impact of “Essay” in Spanish

Language is deeply intertwined with culture, and understanding the cultural implications of a word is crucial for effective communication. In the context of Spanish, the word “ensayo” holds significance beyond its literal meaning. It reflects the rich literary traditions and academic rigor associated with the Spanish language.

In Spanish literature, essays play a vital role in expressing thoughts, analyzing complex ideas, and offering critical perspectives. Renowned Spanish and Latin American writers have contributed significantly to the genre, showcasing the power of essays as a means of cultural expression.

Writing Essays in Spanish: Tips and Techniques

If you are interested in writing essays in Spanish, here are some valuable tips and techniques to enhance your skills.

Understand the Structure

Just like in English, Spanish essays follow a specific structure. Start with an introduction that sets the context and thesis statement, followed by body paragraphs that present arguments or discuss different aspects of the topic. Finally, conclude with a concise summary that reinforces your main points.

Embrace Language Nuances

Spanish is known for its richness and expressive nature. Incorporate idiomatic expressions, figurative language, and varied vocabulary to add depth and flair to your essays. This will not only showcase your language proficiency but also engage your readers.

Research and Refer to Established Writers

To improve your Spanish essay writing skills, immerse yourself in the works of established Spanish and Latin American writers. Reading essays by renowned authors such as Octavio Paz, Jorge Luis Borges, or Gabriel García Márquez can provide valuable insights into the art of essay writing in Spanish.

In conclusion, the Spanish translation of the English word “essay” is “ensayo.” However, it is essential to understand that “ensayo” encompasses a broader cultural and literary significance in the Spanish language. It represents a means of expressing thoughts, analyzing ideas, and contributing to the rich tapestry of Spanish literature.

For those venturing into the realm of writing essays in Spanish, embracing the structural conventions, incorporating language nuances, and seeking inspiration from established writers will pave the way for success. So, embark on your Spanish essay writing journey with confidence and let your words resonate within the vibrant world of Spanish language and culture.

Remember, whether you are exploring literary essays, academic papers, or personal reflections, the beauty of essays lies in their ability to capture the essence of thoughts and ideas, transcending linguistic boundaries.

Are there any synonyms for the word ‘essay’ in the Spanish language?

In Spanish, there are a few synonyms that can be used interchangeably with the word “ensayo,” which is the most common translation for “essay.” Some synonyms for “ensayo” include “redacción” (composition), “prosa” (prose), and “artículo” (article). These synonyms may have slight variations in their usage and connotations, but they generally convey the idea of a written composition or discourse.

What are the common contexts where the word ‘essay’ is used in Spanish?

The word “ensayo” finds its usage in various contexts in the Spanish language. Here are some common contexts where the word “ensayo” is commonly used:

• Academic Writing: In the academic sphere, “ensayo” refers to an essay or a written composition assigned as part of coursework or academic assessments. It involves presenting arguments, analyzing topics, and expressing ideas in a structured manner.
• Literary Essays: Spanish literature has a rich tradition of literary essays. Renowned writers use “ensayo” to explore and analyze various literary works, authors, or literary theories. These essays delve into critical interpretations and provide insights into the literary landscape.
• Journalistic Writing: Journalists often employ “ensayo” to write opinion pieces or in-depth analyses on current events, social issues, or cultural phenomena. These essays offer a subjective perspective, providing readers with thoughtful reflections and commentary.
• Personal Reflections: Individuals may also write personal essays or reflections on topics of interest or experiences. These essays allow individuals to share their thoughts, feelings, and insights, offering a glimpse into their personal perspectives.

Are there any cultural implications associated with the Spanish word for ‘essay’?

Yes, there are cultural implications associated with the Spanish word for “essay,” which is “ensayo.” In Spanish-speaking cultures, essays are highly regarded as a form of intellectual expression and critical thinking. They serve as a platform for writers to convey their ideas, opinions, and reflections on a wide range of subjects.

The cultural implications of “ensayo” extend to the realm of literature, where renowned Spanish and Latin American authors have made significant contributions through their essays. These essays often explore cultural identities, social issues, historical events, and philosophical concepts, reflecting the cultural richness and intellectual depth of Spanish-speaking communities.

Moreover, the tradition of essay writing in Spanish fosters a deep appreciation for language, literature, and the exploration of ideas. It encourages individuals to engage in thoughtful analysis, promotes intellectual discourse, and contributes to the cultural and intellectual heritage of Spanish-speaking societies.

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24 Spanish Slang Terms Commonly Used By Native Speakers

• Read time 13 mins

Sounding like a fluent Spanish speaker requires a mastery of Spanish verbs , a wide Spanish vocabulary and, believe it or not, a little bit of slang!

Although they don’t always teach you the full range of colloquial terms in Spanish classes and schools, slang words and phrases are a staple of social interactions and are used abundantly in conversations between friends.

You might therefore be feeling a bit like an outsider among native speakers if you’re just getting used to Spanish slang, but ¡no te preocupes!

With this list of commonly used Spanish slang words and phrases you’ll soon be able to catch some of the quirkier expressions, slang phrases and colloquialisms that are used by the natives.

Why is Spanish slang important and when should it be used?

Spanish slang is important for various reasons.

Not only does using certain phrases help you sound like a native Spanish speaker, you will be able to fully immerse yourself in informal dialogues and understand the more subtle, nuanced meanings of conversations between friends.

Because, just like Spanish greetings , context is key and dictates how you should speak with others, you should always be aware of who you are speaking to and who else might be present when using Spanish slang.

After all, you wouldn’t address your boss or in-laws with the word ‘mate’, would you? 😊

A good friend might use a range of slang terms when they speak to you because they are familiar with you. You’re their tío / tía (in this context, good friend/dude), and the context is informal. They know that you’ll completely understand their intended meaning because they’ve known you for a very long time.

Native speakers reserve their Spanish slang for the right conversations and the right people, and that’s exactly what you should do as well.

Now you know why Spanish slang is important, here is our list of Spanish slang words, phrases and colloquial expressions that you’ll frequently hear from native Spanish speakers.

Take a look — which ones have you heard recently?

Spanish slang phrases that have negative connotations (and insults)

Sometimes you’ll need a slang word that conveys a negative meaning, or to express how annoyed something has made you feel. These are some of the common colloquial Spanish words and phrases that have a negative connotation behind them.

They might help you vent your frustration, but always consider the context in which you use them!

Ser un pijo/ser una pija (to be a brat/spoiled)

This slang phrase is used by Spaniards when referring to a ‘posh’, ‘snobby’ person who might have inherited a lot of money and gained their wealth without working very hard. When using this slang term, be careful!

In some Spanish speaking countries un pijo can mean ‘penis’. 🤣

Usage example:

Que no seas una pija. No te comprare nada mas.

Ser cutre (to be stingy)

The Spanish slang term cutre refers to someone who supposedly never has any money.

They are ‘stingy’ when it comes to covering the tab, so you can bet that a person who is cutre will never offer to pay for a round of drinks.

Nunca me ha regalado nada en toda mi vida. Es que, es tan cutre.

Joder (shit, f**k)

This slang term is also a palabrota or swear word , which has a range of meanings. Commonly exclaimed when someone wants to express their annoyance or disapproval, joder is a word that you’ll frequently hear in Spanish movies.

If your friend says it, you’ll know they’re irritated, upset or angry.

¡Joder! El Barca ha perdido el partido. ¿Pero, como es posible?

Es una cotilla (he’s/she’s a busybody, a snooper)

This Spanish slang phrase is an epithet used to describe someone who gossips a lot or knows too much about other people’s lives.

Chances are, if you’re in Spain, you’ll probably have a vecino (neighbour), who is a typical cotilla .

Mi vecina es una cotilla. Está siempre escuchando los escándalos de la gente.

Caray/caramba (damn)

We use the Spanish slang term caray , which is short for caramba , when we’re shocked, annoyed or appalled by something unjust that might have happened.

If someone is constantly nagging or nitpicking, and you feel frustrated by it, you might use this term to express how annoyed you are.

¡Cállate mujer, caray! Que no seas una cotilla. Siempre hablas demasiado.

Estar en la luna (absent-minded)

Though this Spanish slang term literally means ‘to be at the moon’, we use it to describe someone who is figuratively a million miles away or ‘absent-minded’.

If you’re en la luna , it means you are not focused or concentrating at that moment.

Pero, estáis en la luna hoy. No me estáis escuchando.

Tirar la toalla (concede/surrender)

This Spanish slang phrase might bring to mind the English expression ‘throw in the towel’, as the Spanish noun toalla translates as ‘towel’.

As with the English phrase, it means that you plan to abandon a difficult task or to admit you’ve been beaten by an impossible challenge.

Es la hora de tirar la toalla. No me puedes vencer ahora.

Me cae mal/me cae gordo (he/she annoys me)

We use this Spanish phrase to describe someone who has given you a bad impression of themselves — or to refer to someone who annoys you.

The phrase me cae gordo similarly conveys this meaning, and can also refer to the bad gut feeling or intuition a person gave you.

Este tío me cae mal. Es muy presumido y arrogante. No sabe cuando callarse.

Spanish slang phrases that have positive connotations

There are so many occasions where you’ll need to express your respect for someone, to address your group of friends with a positive or inclusive phrase, or use a term that shows how much you admire them.

Check out these Spanish slang terms that connote positivity or admiration.

Ser mono/ser mona/eres tan mono (to be adorable, cute)

Don’t get confused by this Spanish slang phrase — while mono translates as ‘monkey’, when used with the verb ser its meaning changes.

We use the colloquial adjective ser mono / mona to refer to someone who is cute or adorable.

Mira, ¡eres tan mono y precioso que no tengo palabras!

Molar/cómo mola (cool)

This common Spanish word is heard everywhere in Spain! Used in a similar way to the phrase que guay , something described with the word molar is ‘awesome’ or ‘cool’.

Este coche es muy grande. Tiene mucho espacio. ¡Cómo mola!

Guay (cool)

Guay is another Spanish slang term for ‘cool’. With young people using it frequently, you’ll hear it everywhere in Spain.

Like the word mola , it’s a common word that can be used to compliment a situation or express admiration for someone on account of how amazing they are.

Que guay, tío. Me alegro que estéis mas felices que antes.

Tío/tía (dude, chico, chica)

In Spain, you’ll hear young people referring to their friends as tío / tía all the time.

A direct translation would give you the word ‘uncle’ or ‘aunty’, but among friends it means ‘dude’ or ‘mate’.

¡Has comprado una casa! Pues, que guay, ¡tío!

Chaval/chavala/chavales (guys)

There are many meanings to this Spanish slang term. The phrase ser un chaval refers to someone who is young in terms of their attitude.

It has connotations of being inexperienced or naïve, but it’s also a colloquial term used between friends meaning ‘dude’ or ‘guys’.

¿Que pasa chavales? ¿Ya estáis cenando? Llegare dentro de cinco minutos.

Qué chulo/chula (how cool, how stylish)

If something is described as chulo / chula , we mean that object is cool, stylish or amazing.

It’s a compliment, so you can use this slang phrase to express how much you like your friend’s new iPhone or their new car.

¡Tienes botas muy chulas! ¡Que envidia!

Hincar los codos/voy a hincar los codos (to study a lot)

Have you pulled an all-nighter before an all-important exam? The Spanish slang phrase you’ll need to convey just that is hincar los codos .

It means ‘study hard’ and might bring to mind the English expressions ‘put some elbow grease into it’ or ‘roll your sleeves up’ because your codos are your elbows in English.

Quiere aprobar el examen de ciencias. Tiene que hincar los codos.

Es la leche (it’s awesome/amazing)

It’s easy to get confused by the many Spanish terms that feature the word leche or milk. A person might be in a bad mood, in which case you might say está de mala leche. But in this context, the slang term es la leche refers to how amazing something is.

That really cool book you finished reading last week — if it was fantastic and resonated with you, you might describe it as la leche .

Hombre, esta peli es la leche. A mi me gustó un montón.

Spanish slang terms for amazement, shock or disgust

If something has stunned you silent and you just don’t know how to express your feelings, these Spanish slang words might describe the situation perfectly.

Take a look at these colloquial expressions that are frequently used by native Spanish speakers when there simply are no ideal words.

Hostia/la hostia (wow, no way!)

Though the word hostia is literally the Spanish term for the wafer given to you during communion, it also means ‘my God!’ and is commonly used to express shock or complete surprise caused by something or someone.

¡Hostia! Que barbaridad, los politcos siempre son corruptos.

Ostras (wow, oh my!)

If you’re looking for a way to express your shock and surprise in a ‘non-blasphemous’ way, the Spanish slang term ostras is one option.

It is the same as exclaiming hostia , and conveys the same meaning, but is an expression typically used to avoid saying ‘oh my God’.

¡Ostras! Tienes mucho dinero. ¿Que vas a hacer con eso?

Flipar/te vas a flipar (freak out, go nuts)

Flipar is a Spanish slang expression that conveys shock or astonishment. It means ‘go crazy’ and can be used in a range of contexts. You might have discovered that someone is having an affair.

Or perhaps someone you know has suddenly inherited a fortune…

The phrase you’re going to need if you’re going to tell someone about that shocking news is te vas a flipar .

You’re going to freak out… I’m going to marry her!

Estar como una cabra (he’s/she’s nuts)

Though this slang term literally translates to English as ‘to be like a goat’, in Spain we use this phrase to refer to or describe someone who is totally crazy or behaving in a peculiar, silly way!

¿Pero, está borracho? ¡Está como una cabra!

Other frequently used Spanish slang terms

The world of Spanish slang is vast and varied. There are so many colloquial terms that Spaniards use on a daily basis.

We’ve only scratched the surface! Here are a few more that might be of interest to you.

Me piro/pirarse (I’m leaving)

The full phrase sometimes used by Spanish speakers is me piro vampiro . It’s a funny slang term similar to ‘see you later alligator’.

The verb pirarse means ‘to leave’, so if you want to decline an invitation from your friends to go for more drinks later in the evening you can say lo siento, me piro.

No tengo ganas de ir a la fiesta. Lo siento, me piro.

Tomarse el pelo (pulling someone’s leg/having you on)

The literal translation of tomarse el pelo would be ‘pulling my hair’, but this slang term is used when someone is teasing you or making fun of you.

Sin duda, hombre, esa mujer te estaba tomando el pelo. No puede ser que ella tenga 59 años.

Es un lío/liar (it’s a mess/screwed up)

We use the slang term es un lío when we’ve made a mistake or done something wrong.

One example of this could be if someone has an affair, which we would describe by using the verb liarse . If something is un lío we mean it’s a mess.

Es todo un lio. Esta vez, no creo que entienda.

Duro/no tengo un duro (penniless, broke)

Duro is a Spanish slang term that means ‘money’. If you don’t have any, you can say no tengo un duro.

Lo siento, no te puedo comprar la bici. No tengo un duro.

How can you sound like a native when using Spanish slang?

The key to sounding like a native — and to avoid using the wrong Spanish slang term — is not only to consult lists and examples, but to listen to native speakers and actually hear the colloquial terms used in context.

When in doubt, consider how the person speaking to you addresses you and analyse the way they speak.

By listening and taking note of the phrases they use, you’ll soon be able to use them yourself.

Every person is unique, though. You might not use the exact same Spanish slang terms as your friends on every occasion. But having a good knowledge of these common terms is important as it will enhance your understanding.

There are also some excellent Spanish courses and apps that cover slang terms in greater detail.

Did I miss any Spanish slang terms?

Comment below!

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Really nice article, thank you! I speak more Latin American Spanish so I didn’t know some of these words. Now I’m going to use both!

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Ese Meaning: What Does the Slang Term “Ese” Mean and Stand for?

You might often hear the term “Ese” if you’re around Spanish speakers. This reference helps you understand what “Ese” means and explores its origins. It also covers the various meanings the term can have and how it is used in different contexts. Familiarizing yourself with this term could enhance your communication with those who use it frequently.

Besides learning the meaning, you’ll also discover other words that can be used in place of “Ese.” The reference includes examples of how the term appears in conversation, which helps demonstrate its use in everyday language. Knowing these details can support your understanding and conversational skills.

Ese Meaning and Origin

• “Ese” is a Spanish word that means “that” in English, often used to point out or refer to something or someone.
• In Chicano and Mexican-American slang, “Ese” is commonly used to casually address a male friend, similar to saying “dude” or “man.”
• The term can carry different tones depending on the context, ranging from friendly to confrontational.

Ese Meaning

Pronounced like the American word “ essay ,” this slang term is a standalone word that is most commonly used in all forms of communication to mean “guy” or “dude” . It is used to talk about someone or to greet someone who is male in a friendly matter.

Origin of this Term

This slang term originated in Mexico City and was first used by urban street kids. It is believed that the term was shortened from the full phrase “ese vato” which means “that guy” or “that man” in Spanish. However, there is no time frame mentioned regarding when the slang term was first used.

Other Meanings

“Ese” is a Spanish term that can have different meanings depending on the context in which it is used. Here’s a breakdown of its various meanings and uses:

• Meaning : “That”
• Context : As a pronoun in Spanish, “ese” (masculine form) means “that” and is used to refer to something or someone that is relatively close to the listener but farther from the speaker. For example, “Ese libro es interesante” (“That book is interesting”).
• Context : “Ese” is also used as a demonstrative adjective to describe something or someone. For example, “Ese chico” means “that boy” and “Esa chica” means “that girl.” The feminine form of “ese” is “esa.”

Related Terms to “Ese”

• Meaning : “Dude” or “Guy”
• Context : Similar to “ese” when used as slang in Chicano culture, referring informally to a friend or peer. Example: “What’s up, vato?”
• Meaning : “Brother” or “Close friend”
• Context : A slang term used to refer to a close friend, often in the same contexts where “ese” might be used. Example: “Hey, carnal, let’s hang out.”
• Meaning : “Friend” or “Buddy”
• Context : A term of endearment used among friends, sometimes similar to “ese” in informal conversations. Example: “Oye, compadre, ¿cómo estás?” (“Hey, buddy, how are you?”).

Synonyms for Ese

There are many other words that you can use to replace this slang term in a conversation without changing the meaning of the original term. Some of the other words that you could use include:

Ese Examples

Conversation examples.

A conversation between two friends via text message.

• Friend 1 : What’s up, ese ?
• Friend 2 : Not much! I am just waiting for my mom to get home so she can tell me what we are having for dinner. I am starving!
• Friend 1 : Yeah, same here. I think I am going to go heat up some Hot Pockets or something.
• Friend 2 : Oh, that sounds good! I wish I had some of those in my freezer right about now.

An online conversation between two Facebook users.

• User 1 : Hey everyone! I am finally back from vacation! It was awesome!
• User 2 : Hey! What’s up, ese !! I have missed you, my friend! Glad to see you made it back safely! Can’t wait to see the pics!

Sentence Examples

• “What’s up, ese? Haven’t seen you in a while!”
• “Hey, ese, you coming to the party tonight?”
• “Chill out, ese, there’s no need to get upset.”
• “Listen, ese, I’ve got your back no matter what.”
• “Yo, ese, did you see that game last night?”
• “Come on, ese, let’s grab some tacos after work.”
• “Don’t worry, ese, we’ll figure it out together.”
• “Hey, ese, you gotta check out this new car I bought!”
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Speaking Like A Spaniard: 25 Spanish Slang Terms You Should Know

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If you ever decide to visit one of the many Spanish speaking countries , something you’ll quickly notice is that locals love to use Spanish Slang i.e. words that are probably exclusively used in that country, or even possibly, specific to that region you’re in.

Of course, knowing some country specific slang is a fantastic way to break the ice and befriend a local native speaker.

In case you missed it, we already covered a bunch of country-specific slang terms, including:

Today, we are going list the 25 most common Spanish slang terms you’ll hear from a Spaniard, whether it’s walking the streets of Madrid, or from a Spanish friend.

Guay is Spanish slang that normally refers to something or someone cool, and can even go as far as amazing. In general, you can use it for anything positive.

• Que guay esa motocicleta – That motorcycle is really neat
• Cuando lo conozcas te va a parecer super guay – When you get to know him you gonna think he’s great

A commonly used agreement word, similar to “ok” or “alright”.

• Vale, más tarde voy y te ayudo – Sure, I’ll come by later and help you
• Espérame acá, ¿Vale? – Wait for me here, alright?

This one can also work a filler word too, with a translation that could be considered as a more enthusiastic “alright!”, or indeed, a frustrated “come on”

• Venga, juega un rato con tus primos – Come on, play with your cousins for a while
• ¡Venga! Entonces vamos saliendo – Alright! Then let’s head out

In English, some native speakers use this one in a similar way. The literal translation is “man”, but  in Spanish slang, it’s used as a term of endearment to the point where its meaning is used more as an interjection, rather than its literal one.

• ¡Hombre! Cuanto tiempo sin verte – Man! Really long time no see

5) No pasa nada

This translates as “nothing is happening” but is used to say there’s really no consequence, or problem – ie. a reassuring expression. Similar to “no worries” in English.

• Claro hombre, no pasa nada. Es más, te invito una copa – Sure man, it’s nothing. I’ll even invite you a drink

A “bridge” is what happens when a national holiday falls on a Thursday/Friday, and you have an extra long weekend.

• Mejor aprovechamos el puente para pasar unos días en la playa, ¿Te parece? –  What about if we grab the long weekend to spend a few days at the beach, how does that sound to you?

7) Tío or Tía

This one can be a bit confusing at first since the words directly translate to “uncle” and “aunt”. However, in Spanish slang, they are used to replace “man” and “woman” in everyday conversation. They aren’t tied to a possessive word (my, yours, his etc), which means you’ll know if someone is actually talking about their family or not.

• Vino a saludarte una tia muy guapa – A really pretty girl came to say hello to you
• Voy a estar con esos tíos de allá, ¿Los ves? – I’m going to hang around with those guys over there, do you see them?

If you’re familiar with the Mexican slang term “gringo”, then this one isn’t too dissimilar. This word is Spanish slang for North Americans and other Europeans. While it’s not necessarily offensive, it might come across as poor taste to some people.

• Eh, José, tú tienes varios amigos guiris, ¿Cierto? – Hey, José, you have a few foreign friends, right?

You could say that this is close to a “buddy”, and often replaces the word “amigo” to refer to acquaintances, or people you don’t quite know. This one is exclusive to slang from Spain, since it literally means co-worker in any other Spanish speaking countries.

• Colega, has dejado el auto mal estacionado – Hey, pal, you parked a bit poorly there
• Tengo un colega que trabaja allí que podría ayudarte – I have a friend that works there and could help you

Also found as chavala (feminine version), this is Spanish slang for kids or young people in general.

• Échale un ojo a los chavales – Keep an eye on the kids
• Estaba ayudando a una chavala que estaba perdida – I was helping a girl that got lost

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11) Los Viejos

“The old people” is not the most respectful term for your parents, but it’s meant in an affectionate way. Some people might be okay with this, but others may not (if you ever called your dad, “my old man”, then you know what I’m talking about).

• Esta semana estaba pensando en visitar a los viejos, ¿me quieres acompañar? – I was thinking about visiting my parents this week, do you want to come along?

A word used for friendly, affectionate, or pleasant people to be around. Although, it can also refer to someone who is really attractive.

• Tu amigo es super majo – Your friend is really nice
• No esperábamos que llegaras con una tía tan maja – We didn’t expect you to come with such an attractive girl

13) Estar como una cabra

“To behave like a goat” is a fitting term for someone who behaves in a really strange way. Similar to someone “being nuts” in English.

• No le prestes mucha atención a mi vecina, está como una cabra – Don’t mind my neighbor that much, she’s got a few screws loose

14) Estar en Pelotas

“Being in the balls” isn’t as vulgar as it sounds. It actually means being completely naked – random, I know.

• Que suerte que llegas un poco tarde, 5 minutos menos y me agarrabas en pelotas. – Man, I’m lucky that you got a bit late, 5 minutes earlier you would’ve found me naked.

15) Molar / Mola

This Spanish slang can be used in several ways – as a verb, it can mean to be cool or to want or like something.

• ¡Cómo mola! ¿no? (Cool, isn’t it?)
• ¿No te mola lo que le hicieron a la casa? Se ve mucho mejor ahora. – Don’t you like what they did to the house? It looks way better now
• Oye, molas mucho cuando juegas así – Hey, you look really cool when you play like that

In most Spanish speaking countries, “chulo” would be translated as “pimp”. However, this Spanish slang term is used to describe or address someone who is attractive, or something that is cute, lovely or neat.

• Qué chulo tu auto nuevo, ¿Cuanto te ha costado? – Man, your new car looks really nice, how much did it cost you?

A common way to denote surprise in Spanish slang, and usually accompanied by offensive imagery.

• ¡Ostia tío! Mira lo que pasó la semana pasada – Holy mother of god, look at what happened last week

A commonly used word for things that aren’t pleasant to look at, or made of really poor quality, or perhaps not even finished.

• El hotel que eligieron se veía un poco cutre, pero era más barato – The hotel they chose looked really bad, but it was cheaper

Adapted from the English word “freaky”, it has an almost identical meaning in Spanish slang since it’s used to describe weird, extravagant stuff, or things you’re not used to seeing.

In recent years, it has taken on a second meaning, referring to a “geeky” person who is perhaps computer savvy, and a video game aficionado.

• Que friki esa situación, mejor no me involucro – That’s a really weird situation, I’d rather not get involved
• Le puedes llevar el computador al friki de la clase para que lo repare – You could take your computer to the class geek for him to repair it

20) Empanado

We all know someone who is perpetually “empanao” – ie. slow and absent minded, barely paying attention to anything they should.

• A ver, mira para adelante que andas todo empanado – Hey, look in front of you, you’re going around all absent minded

21) Cabrearse

To get upset, or more vulgarly put, to be pissed about something – hopefully you don’t need to use this one.

• Se cabreó cuando le contamos lo que pasó. – He got really upset when we told him what happened.

22) Bocachancla

A not so kind term for people who talk way more than they should, and usually about delicate subjects.

• Eh, no seas tan bocachancla, cállate mejor – Dude, don’t be such a big mouth, shut it, please

There are two cases where Flipar is used 1) when you are absolutely blown away by new information that leaves you astonished 2) to describe an effect caused by drugs.

• La audiencia del concierto empezó a flipar con el primer riff de la guitarra – Concert attendees went completely insane with the first guitar riff
• Creo que estaba actuando raro por estar flipando de algún estupefaciente – I think he was acting weird due to being under the influence of some drug

An almost literal translation of “to flirt”, or getting someone’s attention in order to woo them.

• Te vi ligando con aquel chaval – I saw you flirting with that boy

And last but not least! Something that you have probably heard before in a TV show or movie based in Spain. “Joder” is probably the most commonly used Spanish slang term, since its most accurate translation would be “fuck”. Like the equivalent in English, it can be used to refer to sexual relations, to bother or annoy, to ruin or spoil, and as an interjection to let your anger out, amazement or frustration.

Pretty handy if you ask me.

• ¡Joder! He olvidado mis llaves en la casa – God dammit! I forgot my keys at home
•  ¡Joder tío! Nos hemos quedado dormidos, vamos a llegar tarde. – Fuck dude! We fell asleep, we’re going to be late
• ¡Jodiste todo lo que había hecho! – You completely destroyed everything I had done

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What Does Essay Mean In Spanish

What does “essay” mean in spanish, introduction.

In academic writing, the term “essay” holds significant importance. If you’re wondering about the Spanish equivalent for “essay,” you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will explore the Spanish word for “essay” and discuss its usage and variations in the Spanish language.

The Spanish Word for “Essay”

The Spanish word for “essay” is “ensayo.” This term is commonly used to refer to a written composition that presents a writer’s ideas or arguments on a specific topic. In the academic context, “ensayo” resembles the concept of an essay in English.

Usage and Variations

In Spanish, “ensayo” can refer to different types of written compositions, including academic essays, literary essays, or even personal reflections. The term encompasses a broad range of written works that involve presenting and supporting ideas or opinions on a particular subject.

It’s worth noting that the word “ensayo” can also be used to describe other forms of experimentation or practice. For example, in the context of music, “ensayo” can refer to a rehearsal or practice session. In this sense, the term extends beyond its application in written compositions.

Writing an Essay in Spanish

If you are studying Spanish or need to write an essay in Spanish, there are several key aspects to consider. Here are a few tips to help you with your Spanish essay writing:

Vocabulary: Expand your Spanish vocabulary to effectively express your ideas and arguments.

Grammar and Syntax: Pay attention to proper grammar and sentence structure to ensure clarity and coherence in your writing.

Organization: Develop a clear and logical structure for your essay, including an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Support your Arguments: Provide evidence and examples to support your claims and strengthen your arguments.

Revision and Editing: Proofread your essay for errors and make necessary revisions to enhance the overall quality of your writing.

In Spanish, the word for “essay” is “ensayo.” This term encompasses various types of written compositions, including academic essays, literary essays, and personal reflections. When writing an essay in Spanish, ensure that you have a strong command of the language, pay attention to grammar and syntax, and develop a clear structure for your writing. With practice and dedication, you can effectively communicate your ideas and arguments in Spanish essays. ¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!) How Many Units In Duolingo

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Spanish translation of 'essay'

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What does "ese" mean?

I keep hearing this word "ese" (also spelled "esé" or "ése") on TV used when parodying Spanish speakers. It's often used in a very funny way to indicate friend or homie but I can't tell what it means. Googling produced mixed results where some said it was a fake word used only in Hollywood, others claimed it just meant friend, and some claimed its like using the n-word.

Can someone clarify the meaning of ese (as used in this context) and explain if it is derogatory or not? If obviously don't want to use it if it is!

Additional info from comment :

I've seen it in comedy sketches by Key and Peele. Key often talks in a mock Spanish speaking accent. I'm not sure what nationality or ethnicity it is supposed to represent, but the jokes are of a sort of parody-like nature in that he is skirting the line between funny and racist as comedians sometimes do. Example: East Side Locos Tagger

• coloquialismos
• cultura-de-masas
• lenguaje-peyorativo
• lenguage-despectivo

• Is there any example of such an use you can point to? I agree with the answers given below but I can't think of how ese can be used in parody. –  JMVanPelt Commented May 2, 2015 at 21:02
• Key and Peele. Key often talks in a mock Spanish speaking accent. I'm not sure what nationality or ethnicity it is supposed to represent, but the jokes are of a sort of parody like nature in that he is skirting the line between funny and racist as comedians sometimes do. Maybe parody isn't the right word. If u have a better one, let me know and I'll change it. Here's the example: youtu.be/fwQXwlg5JU0 –  Stan Shunpike Commented May 2, 2015 at 21:42

9 Answers 9

Looking at the video you mentioned, and doing some googling, it turns out that ese (which has the gramatically correct meanings mentioned in the other answers) is a Spanglish slang to refer to someone, generally the person you are talking to. There are no academic sources for that, but here's a very plausible explanation :

In some places, "ese" (pronounced es-say) is just a slang way of refering to a guy. No different than dude , bro or man . [...] In short, ese can be a neutral term for any average guy or it can be a statement of one's gang affiliation.

Ese is a demonstrative adjective ( quiero ese libro , I want that book) or a demonstrative pronoun ( quiero ese , I want that one). As a pronoun, it's sometimes written with an accent on the stressed syllable: ése. ( RAE, see the 1st meaning of ese, esa, eso )

Ese can be used to refer to people, and it sometimes has a pejorative connotation ( RAE, see the 2nd meaning of ese, esa, eso ):

No conozco al tipo ese. (I don't know that guy.) Ese es un imbécil. (That [guy] is a moron.)

Actually, the word " ese " originated in Mexico City as a urban slang used among kids in the neighborhoods. Kids would use that as a term for "dude" or "hey, man", so it has not negative or offensive meaning. Gangs in East Los Angeles adapted the term since they are of Mexican descent and it is a very common word used among kids and teenagers who lived in urban areas in Mexico City.

• 1 According to Urban Dictionary, it is clearly a word used (in English) by people of Mexican descent, specially sureños (from Southern Mexico): urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=esé –  Gorpik Commented Jun 16, 2016 at 9:24

I am sort of weirded out by this thread!!! I am from California, but the strange nitpick on the use of ese in Mexican dialects sounds almost like it’s being answered by a bunch of folks who either did not grow up or have been exposed to common “ California/Baja ” Spanish usage, Idioms or slang, but are still of Mexican descent, or it is being answered by more people who never spoke Spanish in their lives, perhaps trying to find a translations to a meme or similar joke. You aren’t going to find a proper translation online for this use of the word..

It’s actually easier than all this. To answer the question alone, for this circumstance only, it can be replaced in English with any of these words:

Homie, Holmes, Bro, Dude, etc.

if an accent is heavy, it is because the person saying it has a heavy accent. A MEXICAN ACCENT, and anyone repeating it that doesen't belong to that sort of Barrio culture, is portraying what they hear from Mexicans saying it. Or, making fun of Mexicans . Not cool, homie. (Homie switched out for ese ).

The use of this word, and whether it is maliciously intended or in good faith, depends on if it is being said one of those ways or not, exactly like how it is in English . if you were to use one of the equivalent words i mentioned above...

“What’s your problem, Bro?” sounds menacing, hostile in english “Hey! Bro! How’s it going?” sounds friendly in English. “Dude! You shoulda seen it!” sounds neutral in english too.

However, You still would not say that neutral use of ‘ Dude ’ while talking to your great aunt Beatrice, right?

And just like in English, these Bro , Dude etc names are slang , and you would never call grandpa “ Bro ” and demand a high five. It’s rude.

So, “que onda, ese?” (or the equivalent english “ What’s up, yo? ” ) Are phrases no one would ever use when speaking to grandma, relatives or respected community members, however this usage is OK among peers, it’s just common slang which anyone might find offensive , it just depends on who thinks that way.

I believe its like using the evil “ N” word being white, no matter how good of a friend you are to an African American person, you don’t get to use it. ever.

This rule can be applied to anyone who isn’t Mexican trying to use "ese" as slang. *Not cool, Brah .* At best you'd make a fool of yourself, at worst, depending on where you are, you could get in trouble you didn't need to get in to in the first place. Always use common sense.

However you DO get a free pass using "ese" as slang if you are trying to sing along to any Cypress Hill lyrics and you HAVE to sing to " Insane in the Membrane "-

nobody cares if you can’t control yourself cuz nobody can ,

also if you are paraphrasing your favorite lines from any movie portraying Barrio culture

In general, as with all slang, if you have to ask, you should probably not be using it, but if you want to know just to understand what’s going on if you hear it, there’s no reason to not be privy to the social usage of a slang word in a language that you SHOULD know if you are living in certain areas of the United States.

Summed up, any way you can think of to use “Dude” in English, aside from its proper, webster’s Dictionary use of the term in regard to horse ranches etc. is what “ese” means in the Mexican dialects of Spanish in this context only. Ignore all the other urban dictionary stuff and other proper uses.

• 1 This is a great answer, although perhaps a bit on the passionate side, i took the liberty of doing some edits to clarify and take some edge off that may come across as hostile. But the answer does make a very important point about the usage of slang in a multicultural context , Having lived in the LAX area, and lived this kind of experiences, I couldn't agree more on using common sense, specially in today's politically charged social climate, where misunderstandings may spark unneeded tensions between communities. Learning words in other languages in good faith always builds bridges, –  hlecuanda Commented Jul 9, 2018 at 12:55

Literally, "ese" is a demonstrative pronoun which can mean it, that thing over there, that person over there . However, the Latinamerican dictionary Así Hablamos gives this use of the demonstrative pronoun "ese" for Ecuador:

Sustitución despectiva de él ¡Míralo a ese! ==> Míralo a él | Pejorative substitution for "him"

This definition fits perfectly with what I learned in the 1980's living in a provincial university town in Mexico, far from Mexico City and even farther from the northern border areas where the drug business and gang activity were starting to build up. I'm quite certain the meaning and usage I was taught had nothing to do with gangs or anything related to gangs.

Now, with the help of Urban Dictionary , here's what I believe is going on in the Key & Peele sketch. Key is playing a California latino gang leader. His use of "Ese" is analogous to how you might hear young African American men greet each other with "Nigga." A term originally (and in some circles still ) used by racist whites to refer pejoratively to African Americans has been appropriated, with a slight change in pronunciation and spelling, to mean

fellow tribesman and badass

where I'm using "tribe" to mean racial/ethnic peer group , and I'm using "badass" to mean a formidable and intimidating person .

In the case of ese , it's not a term originally used by people outside the group, but the backdrop of racism is still there, upping the ante, and we see a similar appropriation of a pejorative term as part of a reclaiming of cultural identity and building up of personal self-esteem and group-level ethnic pride.

Note, at least one of the Urban Dictionary entries uses the spelling "esé," but there is a helpful audio recording at https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=esé which shows that the accent is not used to indicate a stress on the last syllable, as in formal Spanish, but rather, to indicate that the whole word is stressed when used as a greeting.

Key uses the term to build the character he's playing, to make the comedy sketch work.

Key and Peele's comedic work with racial stereotypes has been described this way:

Key & Peele’s best sketches are subversive, but still sensitive to the fact that if you joke about a marginalized group, you don’t do so in a vacuum. They’re aware that comedy can either “punch up” against the established hierarchy or “punch down” against people who are already vulnerable.

In other words, it's complicated.

In some contexts you also use "eseeeeeee", with a phonetically longer ending "e", just to express something similar to "that's it dude" or "you rock!". This is specially used in parodying comedian shows.

Hope it helps.

• @Carlos Alejo de hecho, cosas como hope it helps sí suele recomendarse que se elimine. Interesante debate en What should I keep out of my posts and titles? - no es documentación oficial, pero fue escrita por un Community Manager de Stack Exchange . Enlaza con lo que comenté el otro día de Escribamos títulos de preguntas más concretos y textos con menos ruido . –  fedorqui Commented Jun 16, 2016 at 7:44
• @fedorqui, entiendo la postura y la respetaré si es mayoritaria, pero no la comparto. Yo entiendo que ese tipo de mensajes no se pongan en páginas como la Wikipedia, que es un sitio enciclopédico, pero los sitios de Stack Exchange en el fondo no dejan de ser foros. Si a un usuario le sale del alma decir que espera que su mensaje sea de utilidad, no veo por qué no respetarlo, yo me sentiría un poco mal si escribo eso con toda mi buena intención y me lo eliminan. Otra cosa es eliminar frases como "perdón por la respuesta tardía" y cosas así, que eso sí lo entiendo. –  Charlie Commented Jun 16, 2016 at 7:53
• @fedorqui yo propondría dejar el texto de "hope it helps" en la respuesta para no hacer sentir mal al usuario, pero avisarle de que su respuesta siempre ayuda y que no es necesario que lo escriba en el futuro. –  Charlie Commented Jun 16, 2016 at 7:54
• @CarlosAlejo dejemos este "hope it helps", vale. Este sería un buen debate para Spanish Language Meta . En general, coincido en que no hay que ser excesivamente puristas: en sitios como Stack Overflow (donde empecé yo) sí lo son porque hay una gran cantidad de actividad, por lo que es importante dejar el mínimo imprescindible para minimizar ruido. Muchas respuestas que vemos aquí que son apenas una línea se tienden a convertir en comentarios, por ejemplo. Volviendo a este caso, los elementos tangenciales a las respuestas las puede añadir el propio autor pero en comentarios, como estamos haciendo aquí ahora. –  fedorqui Commented Jun 16, 2016 at 8:19

Ese has multiple proper uses, such as Quiero ese coche, "I want that car!" Quiere ese coche, "Do you want that car?" It is also used predominantly in Mexican or Mexican American/Chicano slang as part of a greeting "Qvo (what's up) ese?" or depending on the intonation "Qvo ese!!!" (said with grit or malice) can be a challenge/confrontation of someone. I have also seen and heard it used with derogatory overtones (re: movie "Next Friday" and "Training Day"). That "Ese" or Eses" over there as the term for Mexican American/Chicano people.

• This is an interesting contribution, Cesar. the part that I didn't understand is "Qvo." Is it sort of an abbreviation for "Quiubo" (derived from "Qué hubo"? –  aparente001 Commented Jun 2, 2018 at 14:22
• @aparente001 indeed it is: q'vo –  jacobo Commented Jul 7, 2018 at 17:47

It's Mexican Spanish slang to refer to a person, analogous to tío, hombre etc (or dude, bro, man in English). It's not inherently derogatory, but could be used disparagingly in a certain context.

It's very distinctive of Mexican Spanish, so is often used as an easy marker in television etc to imply someone is Mexican, or generally 'hispanic' (since Mexican Spanish varieties are the biggest influence on US perception of the language as a whole).

e.g. Jaime Reyes/Blue Beetle in Young Justice uses it frequently (a character of Mexican descent, growing up in El Paso, Texas).

ese, sa. ■ M. y F. supran. Persona indeterminada; "Estaba un ese esperando en la puerta del edificio". Academia mexicana de la lengua: Diccionario de mexicanismos

ese, -a. I. 1. m. y f. EU. Hombre o mujer. pop. RAE: Diccionario de americanismos - ese

ése ... 3. ( Mexico, vocative ) dude, guy, pal, man wiktionary.org - ése (Spanish)

If you say: "Que onda, ese" it's like "what's up, dude" . You wouldn't use this expression to address any person of respect such as your boss, your dad, your dad-in-law, etc. In fact, the use of this expression will give the worst impression unless it's said to a close friend. This expression is usually frowned upon and it's considered rude when it's said out of the slums.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged modismos coloquialismos cultura-de-masas lenguaje-peyorativo lenguage-despectivo or ask your own question .

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What Does “Odelay” Mean in Spanish?

Odelay, a commonly used Spanish word, is a great example of the colorful and expressive nature of the Spanish language. The word is often used as an interjection to express encouragement or as a way to push someone to take action or move forward.

In Mexican Spanish slang, ¡Órale! is a common way to say “come on!” or “let’s go!” and is often used to motivate someone to do something or to express excitement about a situation. The word can also be used as a way to show agreement with a statement or to signify distress.

The origins of the word are unclear, but it is believed to have originated in the Spanish region of Andalusia, where it was used as a way to encourage horses during bullfights. Over time, the word became more widely used and evolved into the common interjection that it is today.

One of the great thngs about the Spanish language is its ability to convey emotion and tone through words and phrases. Odelay is a perfect example of this, as it can convey a wide range of emotions depending on the context in which it is used. Whether it is used to express excitement, encouragement, or distress, this versatile word is an important part of the Spanish language and culture.

The word Odelay is a perfect example of the expressive and dynamic nature of the Spanish language. Its origins may be unclear, but its meaning and usage have become an important part of Mexican Spanish slang. Whether you are trying to motivate someone to take action or simply express your excitement about a situation, Odelay is a great word to use. So the next time you find yourself in need of an interjection, remember to say ¡Órale!

What Does Odele Mean?

The name Odele has a Greek origin and its meaning is “Harmonious”. This name is derived from the Greek word “ode” which means “song”. The name Odele is often used for baby girls and it carries a beautiful meaning that reflects the qualities of harmony, melody, and balance. The name suggests a person who is well-balanced, peaceful and has a pleasing personality. Some additional synonyms for the name Odele include harmonious, melodious, symmetrical, balanced, and rhythmic. the name Odele signifies a sense of musicality and balance that can be considered a wonderful attribute for any individual.

What Does Odelay Vato Mean?

“Odelay vato” is a slang expression commonly used in Mexico to encourage or urge someone to do something. It can be translated as “come on, dude” or “let’s go, man”. The word “órale” is a Mexican Spanish expression that can be used to express surprise, agreement, encouragement or to call someone’s attention. “Vato” is a slang term for “dude” or “guy” in Mexican Spanish. Therefore, “órale vato” or “órale, vato” is a colloquial and informal way of telling someone to hurry up or to do something.

Why Do Mexicans Say Órale?

Mexicans say “Órale” for various reasons. The term can express approval, encouragement, surprise, or agreement with a statement. It can also be used to signify distress or urgency. In Mexican Spanish slang, “Órale” is a common interjection that is used to convey excitement or enthusiasm. It is often used as a way to acknowledge someone or something that is impressive. Additionally, “Órale” can be used to let someone know that they need to hurry up or that something needs to be done quickly. the term has multiple connotations and can be used in various contexts depending on the situation.

“órale” is a common slang expression in Mexican Spanish that can be used to express encouragement, agreement, or distress. Its meaning can vary depending on the context, but it is generally used as an exclamation to show approval or to urge someone to do something. On the other hand, “Odele” is a Greek name that means “harmonious,” and is often given to baby girls. While these two terms may sound similar, they have different origins and meanings. It is important to understand the context and cultural background of these words to use them appropriately in different situations.

William Armstrong

What does essay mean in spanish slang

what does essay mean in spanish slang

@sorumatikbot

What does essay mean in Spanish slang ( @sorumatikbot )?

Answer: The term you might be referring to is “ ese ,” not “essay.” In Mexican Spanish slang, “ese” (pronounced like “essay”) is a colloquial term used primarily among Chicano and Mexican-American communities. It can be translated to “dude” or “bro” in English. It’s often used in a friendly or casual manner when addressing someone, particularly among young men.

Origins and Usage:

Etymology and Cultural Context:

• The word “ese” originates from the Spanish letter “S,” which is pronounced “ese”. It was initially used as a short form for “ese bato” (this guy). Over time it evolved into a standalone term.
• It is predominantly used by Mexican-Americans and can be heard frequently in urban areas and in popular culture, especially within hip-hop and gang culture.

Examples of Usage:

• “What’s up, ese?” translates to “What’s up, dude?”
• “Hey ese, let’s hang out later” translates to “Hey bro, let’s hang out later.”

Tone and Connotation:

• While generally friendly, the tone of “ese” can vary based on context. It might sometimes carry a slightly aggressive or disrespectful connotation if used in a confrontational manner.

Similar Words:

Other slang terms that carry similar meanings include:

• Vato: Another word for “dude” or “guy” in Mexican slang.
• Carnal: Used to refer to a close friend or brother, akin to “bro” in English.

Final Answer: In Mexican Spanish slang, “ese” means “dude” or “bro,” and is commonly used among friends in a casual, friendly manner.

What Does "Ese" Mean?

ese = dude, bro, homie

Ese is also the singular masculine form of the Spanish demonstrative pronoun meaning this , as well as a letter in the Spanish alphabet .

As a term of address , this term was popularized in Spanish-speaking regions of the United States. The word on the street is that it came about as a shorthand way for speakers of Mexican Spanish to say ese vato or ese güey ( that dude ).

While not commonly used in Mexico, you're quite likely to hear it in California, for example. But, ¡aguas! ( be careful! ) In some parts of California ese is used by members of certain gangs to self-identify. Most of the time, though, it just means dude or bro .

Check out these examples of ese .

Love finding out what words mean?! Check out the following articles!

• What Does "Ay, Dios Mío" Mean?

• What Does "¡Arriba, Arriba! ¡Ándale, Ándale!" Mean?

• What Does "¿Qué Hace?" Mean?

• What Does "Dale" Mean?

• What Does "Buen Provecho" Mean?

• What Does "¿Qué Pasa?" Mean?

• What Does "¿Cómo Está Usted?" Mean?

• What Does "¡Olé!" Mean?

• What Does "Mucho Gusto" Mean?

• What Does "Chiquita" Mean in English?

• What Does "Oye Cómo Va" Mean?

• What Does "Tiempo" Mean?

• What Does "Otra Vez" Mean?

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