Everyday Mexican interjections: órale, güey, no manches, qué onda

Explanation

Güey (spelled wey in texts, from buey 'ox') is the Mexican 'dude/man'. Among friends it is constant and affectionate — ¿qué onda, güey? — though to a stranger or in the wrong tone it insults ('idiot'). It also works as a filler, much like English 'like'.

Órale is a Swiss-army interjection: surprise ('wow!'), agreement ('okay, sure'), encouragement ('come on, go ahead'), or acknowledgement. Its cousin ándale pushes action ('hurry / that's it / go on'), and híjole expresses dismay or 'yikes'. Qué onda / qué pedo (cruder) both mean 'what's up / what's going on'.

Disbelief is no manches (mild) and no mames (vulgar) — 'no way!, you're kidding!'. Neta means 'the truth / for real' (¿es neta? = 'seriously?'). Praise is chido and padre and, stronger, padrísimo ('awesome'). Fresa labels someone posh/preppy, and a naco is tacky/low-class. This handful of words, plus güey as punctuation, carries most casual Mexican conversation.

Examples

Related rules

• Everyday Mexican words: chamba, lana, chavo, antojitos, cruda
• Mexican politeness: wide usted, mande, and softened requests
• Diminutive culture and the elastic 'ahorita'