BajaNomad

"padre" = "cool"?

pauldavidmena - 1-7-2019 at 10:36 AM

I've been listening to some YouTube instructional videos that go by the name of "Super Easy Spanish". It's produced in Mexico and features conversations with ordinary people about a variety of topics. Given that it's not conducted in a classroom, there are plenty of colloquialisms used, many of which I've never heard before. One is the use of "padre" as an adjective, as in "La otra vez escuché una frase bien padre, ¿sabes?", which roughly translates to "The other time I heard a pretty cool quote, you know?"

Do we ever hear this use of "padre" in Baja, or is it unique to Mexico City, where this particular episode was recorded?

AKgringo - 1-7-2019 at 10:52 AM

Quote: Originally posted by pauldavidmena  


Do we ever hear this use of "padre" in Baja, or is it unique to Mexico City, where this particular episode was recorded?


I have never heard padre used that way, and my guess would be "regional use".

Most of my early Mexico travels were on the mainland, and my ability to communicate with my broken Spanish varied from barely adequate, to useless!

pauldavidmena - 1-7-2019 at 10:56 AM

"chido" was another phrase thrown around in the same way, meaning "cool" or "nice". I hadn't heard that one either. :?:

weebray - 1-7-2019 at 11:02 AM

Padre or Madre = b-tchen. Used all the time here. A todo madre!

pauldavidmena - 1-7-2019 at 11:06 AM

i've heard "desmadre" used to describe chaos or disaster, as in "Mi vida es un desmadre total desde que me quedé sin trabajo", or "My life has been a total disaster since I lost my job."

nandopedal - 1-7-2019 at 11:41 AM

"Padre" and "Chido", 100% chilango idioms. Chilango = from Mexico city.

shari - 1-7-2019 at 03:58 PM

Que padre is super common here in centra baja....a nicer version of que chingon...a sweeter way to say how cool....so not 100% chilango.

here we say que chilo instead of chido.

one of my favorites is Que Machin...pronounced macheen which is also to say something is super cool.

pauldavidmena - 1-7-2019 at 04:03 PM

Quote: Originally posted by shari  
Que padre is super common here in centra baja....a nicer version of que chingon...a sweeter way to say how cool....so not 100% chilango.

here we say que chilo instead of chido.

one of my favorites is Que Machin...pronounced macheen which is also to say something is super cool.


Shari - thank you for providing the all-important context of what is considered acceptable in public versus what is acceptable only among the vatos.

Unfortunately my Spanish isn't good enough to try to get colloquial in conversation, but if I hear it, I just might be able to understand it.

pacificobob - 1-8-2019 at 06:27 AM

have you ever heard a non-native english speaker using our slang? the word sh*t is a good example. it sounds so very awkward. although my local pals say i am at 70% in my spanish skills, i use only a few slang expressions. i think it takes many years of immersion to develop those skills and not sound like a d*****bag. i'm not there yet, may never get there.

pauldavidmena - 1-8-2019 at 06:29 AM

Quote: Originally posted by pacificobob  
have you ever heard a non-native english speaker using our slang? the word sh*t is a good example. it sounds so very awkward. although my local pals say i am at 70% in my spanish skills, i use only a few slang expressions. i think it takes many years of immersion to develop those skills and not sound like a d*****bag. i'm not there yet, may never get there.


You have an excellent point. I remember a Japanese friend, fluent in English and with a degree in Linguistics, congratulating me for some reward: "I am so exciting for you!"

[Edited on 1-8-2019 by pauldavidmena]

shari - 1-8-2019 at 09:19 AM

the locals here get a real kick out of gringos using slang...makes them laugh and that is good for everyone!
No hay pedo...always cracks them up...it's like no sweat man.

pauldavidmena - 1-8-2019 at 09:27 AM

Quote: Originally posted by shari  
the locals here get a real kick out of gringos using slang...makes them laugh and that is good for everyone!
No hay pedo...always cracks them up...it's like no sweat man.


Now I know the literal translation of "No hay pedo", which cracks me up! :lol:

Skipjack Joe - 1-8-2019 at 09:35 AM

Quote: Originally posted by shari  
the locals here get a real kick out of gringos using slang...makes them laugh and that is good for everyone!
No hay pedo...always cracks them up...it's like no sweat man.


I told everyone that Alex is "embarasado" at Blady's party, thinking it meant embarrassed. That got a big laugh. They told me it meant pregnant.

pacificobob - 1-8-2019 at 12:28 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Skipjack Joe  
Quote: Originally posted by shari  
the locals here get a real kick out of gringos using slang...makes them laugh and that is good for everyone!
No hay pedo...always cracks them up...it's like no sweat man.


I told everyone that Alex is "embarasado" at Blady's party, thinking it meant embarrassed. That got a big laugh. They told me it meant pregnant.

spanish has a number of false friends. many are an awesome source of humor.


from wikipedia:

False friends are words in two languages that look or sound similar, but differ significantly in meaning. An example is the English embarrassed and the Spanish embarazada, or the word sensible, which means reasonable in English, but sensitive in French and Spanish.

pacificobob - 1-8-2019 at 02:02 PM

Quote: Originally posted by pauldavidmena  
I've been listening to some YouTube instructional videos that go by the name of "Super Easy Spanish". It's produced in Mexico and features conversations with ordinary people about a variety of topics. Given that it's not conducted in a classroom, there are plenty of colloquialisms used, many of which I've never heard before. One is the use of "padre" as an adjective, as in "La otra vez escuché una frase bien padre, ¿sabes?", which roughly translates to "The other time I heard a pretty cool quote, you know?"

Do we ever hear this use of "padre" in Baja, or is it unique to Mexico City, where this particular episode was recorded?



i checked out super easy spanish on youtube. excellent series,thanks.

Warf - 1-10-2019 at 08:36 AM

Daughter-in-law is Ensenada native. "Que padre" is common. Means something like "how cool" and "wow...sweet"

BajaBlanca - 1-10-2019 at 08:41 AM

Que padre is indeed used all the time around La Bocana as well.