Spanish

Slang

Pendejo

One of the most used slang words in Mexico is calling someone a ‘pendejo’. While the word ‘pendejo’ literally means ‘pubic hair’ it’s the equivalent of calling someone ‘stupid’ or an ‘asshole’ and can be used in both an endearing way (between friends) or in an offensive way ― it all depends on the tone of voice. While Mexican Spanish varies greatly from other Latin American countries, you can also find this word used in countries such as Colombia and Venezuela. Wherever you’re using the word, it’s mildly offensive, so must be used with caution. For example, ‘Eres un pendejo’ means ‘You’re an asshole’.

Güey

Güey, sometimes spelled in the way it is pronounced as ‘wey’, means “mate” and is used all the time in Mexican Spanish. For example ‘¿Como vas, wey?’ means, ‘How’s it going, mate?’

Chido & Padre

If you want to say something is cool, use the word ‘chido’. For example, ‘Esa camisa es muy chida‘ means, ‘That shirt is really cool!‘. You can also use the word ‘padre’ to say the same thing. While ‘padre’ means father in Spanish, in Mexican Spanish it also means ‘cool’. For example ‘¡Que padre!’ means ‘How cool!‘

Cabrón

While the literal translation of ‘cabrón’ is a male goat, its slang meaning is somewhat ruder. It generally translates to ‘asshole’, ‘fucker’ or ‘bitch’. It’s an offensive term and the type of word that shouldn’t be said in front of children. On the flip side, it can also be used in a positive way to say you’re ‘really fucking good at something’, for example, ‘Soy bien cabrón cantando’ would mean, ‘I’m fucking good at singing’.

Buena Onda

The phrase ‘buena onda’ means the equivalent of good vibes or good going. If a place has ‘buena onda’ it means it has a cool atmosphere. A person can also be of ‘buena onda’, which means they are laidback and easy to get along with.

La Neta

Using ‘la neta’ in a sentence is generally like saying ‘really?’ or ‘the truth?’. It can be used to ask someone to confirm something or to make a declaration like ‘La neta te amo!’ which means ‘The truth is, I love you!’. La neta can also be a way to emphasize a statement, like ‘Mi nave es la neta wey!‘, which roughly translates to ‘My ride is the shit, man!’.

Pinche

Pinche is a word used to exaggerate or enhance what you’re saying. It translates to ‘fucking’ (in a non-sexual way) and it can be used in the context of phrases such as: ‘My fucking car is broken‘ which would be ‘Mi pinche nave esta roto‘.

Crudo

Nearly every Spanish speaking country has its own word for a hangover, and Mexico is no exception. The word ‘crudo’, which literally means ‘raw’, is used to describe a hangover in Mexico slang. ‘¡__Estoy muy crudo esta mañana!’ means ‘I am really hungover this morning!‘

Fresa

While the literal meaning of the word ‘fresa’ is strawberry, in Mexican slang it can also be used to describe a person that’s snobby or stuck-up. ‘Mi jefa es muy fresa’ would mean, ‘ My boss is really stuck up.’

¡A Huevo!

While the word ‘huevo’ in Spanish means ‘egg’, the phrase ‘¡A huevo!’ has nothing to do with food. It actually means ‘hell yeah!’ ‘Want to come to the party tonight? ¡A huevo*!*’

The feminine version of the word, hueva, can also be used to describe feeling lazy. ‘Tengo mucha hueva‘ means ‘I’m feeling lazy’.

Chinga Tu Madre

To be reserved for only the most necessary situations, ‘*chinga tu madre_‘ means ‘*go fuck yourself*‘. If someone has really made you angry, this is the phrase for you. It can also be used in a more light-hearted way, meaning ‘you’re annoying me, go away’ but again, it depends on the tone of your voice when you say it.

Linguistic-Theological Analysis of the Spanish Language and Its Evolution

Spanish, as a Romance language, shares its origins with French, evolving from Vulgar Latin after the Roman Empire’s influence. However, Spanish carries distinct historical and theological nuances shaped by the Reconquista, Islamic rule, and the subsequent rise of secular modernity. This analysis examines how Spanish:

1. Preserved traces of monotheism during its Islamic era.
2. Drifted into Christian anthropomorphism during the Catholic dominance.
3. Became a vehicle for secular humanism and materialism in the modern age.
4. Continues to hold theological tensions between linguistic purity and spiritual drift.

a. Vulgar Latin Roots and Early Christian Influence

Spanish emerged from Vulgar Latin brought by Roman settlers to the Iberian Peninsula (3rd century BCE). Christian influence under Roman Catholicism infused the early Spanish language with theological vocabulary.

• Examples of Christian Theological Terms:
  • Dios → Derived from Latin Deus (God).
  • Señor → Used for God and human “lords,” blurring the divine-human distinction.
  • Espíritu Santo → Holy Spirit, anthropomorphic in nature.

Theological Weakness: Spanish, like French, struggles with precise language for divine transcendence. Terms like Dios are generic compared to the specificity of Allah in Quranic Arabic.

During the Muslim rule of Spain (Al-Andalus), Arabic profoundly influenced the Spanish language, culture, and philosophy.

• Linguistic Contributions:

  • Spanish absorbed thousands of Arabic words, many with theological and philosophical significance.
    • Alá → Arabic for “Allah” (God).
    • Ojalá → Derived from in shā’ Allāh (If Allah wills).
    • Almohada (pillow), azúcar (sugar), alcohol → Highlight Arabic precision and influence.

• Theological Impact:

  • Arabic brought tawhid (pure monotheism) to a region otherwise steeped in Catholic doctrine.
  • Islamic philosophy and science (e.g., Averroes, Ibn Arabi) introduced ideas about divine unity, knowledge, and causality.

Loss After Reconquista:
The fall of Granada in 1492 led to the expulsion of Muslims and Jews. Arabic terms persisted, but Islamic theology was systematically erased.

Key Transition: Arabic-rooted expressions like Ojalá became secularized, losing their connection to divine will.

Under Catholic rule, Spanish re-centered around Christian theology, which introduced significant anthropomorphic and triune concepts.

• Anthropomorphic Expressions:

  • Padre Celestial → Heavenly Father, implying God as a literal “father figure.”
  • Hijo de Dios → Son of God, a direct challenge to tawhid.
  • Cuerpo de Cristo → The “Body of Christ” as Eucharist language.

• Problem of Polysemy:
  Terms like Señor (Lord) applied to both God and earthly lords blurred divine transcendence.

Quranic Correction:
The Quran rejects anthropomorphic and familial associations with Allah:

لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ
“He neither begets nor is born.” [Quran 112:3]

From the 18th century onwards, Spanish became a vehicle for secular humanism and colonial expansion.

• Key Secular Terms:

  • Razón → Reason, mirroring Descartes’ influence on French.
  • Progreso humano → Human progress, detached from divine guidance.

• Colonial Influence:

  • Spanish missionaries imposed Catholicism on indigenous populations but often mixed Christian theology with local polytheism (syncretism).

Theological Drift: Modern Spanish secularizes religious expressions:

• Adiós (“to God”) → Reduced to a casual farewell.
• Ojalá → Used as “hopefully,” ignoring its Islamic origin.

a. Generic and Anthropomorphic Terms for God

The term Dios lacks the precision of Allah, which is free of plural or gender implications.

• Spanish: Dios (generic, applied in many contexts).

• Arabic: Allah (unique, indivisible, and singular).

• Anthropomorphic Risk:
  Terms like Padre (Father) and Señor (Lord) humanize the divine, deviating from the Quranic description:

  لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌ
  “There is nothing like Him.” [Quran 42:11]

Arabic words like Ojalá and Alá retained linguistic form but lost theological significance.

• Example:
  • Ojalá gane el equipo → “Hopefully the team wins.”
  • Correction: Muslims use in shā’ Allāh with full submission to Allah’s will.

Spanish Catholicism embeds polytheistic tendencies through:

1. Worship of saints (santos).
2. Veneration of Mary (María) as “Mother of God.”
3. Trinity language (Father, Son, Holy Spirit).

Quranic Rejection:

وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ ثَلَـٰثَةٌۭ ۚ ٱنتَهُوا۟ خَيْرًۭا لَّكُمْ
“And do not say, ‘Three’; desist—it is better for you.” [Quran 4:171]

Modern Spanish-speaking philosophers promote human-centered ideologies:

• Miguel de Unamuno (1864–1936):

  • Advocated existential struggle without clear theological guidance.
  • “La fe que no duda es una fe muerta” → “Faith that does not doubt is dead faith.”

• Octavio Paz (20th-century Mexican poet):

  • Emphasized individual freedom and cultural secularism.
  • Problem: These ideas prioritize human autonomy over divine purpose.

a. Divine Precision

Replace generic terms like Dios with Allah and emphasize divine attributes:

• Ar-Rahman → El Misericordioso (The Merciful).
• Al-Khaliq → El Creador (The Creator).

Restore the original theological significance of Arabic-derived expressions:

• Ojalá → Use with conscious intent as in shā’ Allāh.
• Adiós → Link back to fi amanillah (in Allah’s protection).

Spanish-speaking Muslims must clarify that tawhid rejects anthropomorphism and polytheism.

• Quranic emphasis:

  إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِىٌّ عَنِ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ
  “Indeed, Allah is free of need of the worlds.” [Quran 3:97]