The word is used to mean “smooth” in a variety of contexts, but the usage I wanted to highlight this evening is that it can also mean “cool,” as in “awesome.” Apparently, this usage is pretty well established, too, since my 70-some year-old Mexican relatives use the word in that context, too.
As far as I understand, the word is used across Latino ethnic sub-groups, so if you happen to be a Spanish speaker (native or not) feel free to drop it into conversation!
If you have suggestions for Hablo Y Hablas, words or phrases from your life, feel free to email us at tips@newstaco.com.
You might be asking yourself, "What's 'rete' mean?" The answer is, nothing necessarily in and of itself, but in conjunction with another word, it can lend itself to mean "very" or "really" by way of emphasizing an adjective. For example, recently I told a friend he was "rete guapo," or…
Do you know who your tocayo or tocaya is? You probably do but don't even know it. Tocayo is a word used to mean "namesake," or someone that has your same name. I remember first hearing this word in context, so I was able to figure out the meaning, but…
Chilean Spanish is a Spanish like no other. Between the staccato speech, the unique grammar, and the distinctive vocabulary and sayings referred to as chilenismos, even a native Spanish speaker can get confused. One of the most widely used chilenismos, and the first I learned when I lived in Santiago, was "cachai".…
More than three in 10 Latino families in the United States caring for children under the age of 5 say they support the mass deportations promoted by President Donald Trump, […]
Have you ever heard the word, “suave?”
