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Spanish · The Basics

Güey

GWEY (rhymes with 'way') · /ɡwei/

Dude / man (filler); also 'idiot' when aimed

2/5 Bar-safe

coarse but friendly; fine among acquaintances

Literally

"Ox / dumb animal"

Word-for-word — which is rarely what it means.

How to use it

Mexico's "dude," deployed every third word among young people ("no manches, güey"). Between friends it's pure affection; pointed at someone with the right tone it means "moron." Often spelled "wey" in texts. It's coarse enough that your boss's boss won't love it, but nobody's fighting over it. Older/politer register: "cuate" or "compa."

Heard in the wild

Güey, ya vámonos, es tardísimo.

Dude, let's go, it's super late.

Where it lands

Mexico (universal)

Quick answers

What does "Güey" mean?
In Spanish, "Güey" means "Dude / man (filler); also 'idiot' when aimed". Literally it's "Ox / dumb animal". Mexico's "dude," deployed every third word among young people ("no manches, güey"). Between friends it's pure affection; pointed at someone with the right tone it means "moron." Often spelled "wey" in texts. It's coarse enough that your boss's boss won't love it, but nobody's fighting over it. Older/politer register: "cuate" or "compa."
Is "Güey" offensive?
It's on the mild end — 2/5 (Bar-safe) on the Punch-o-Meter. coarse but friendly; fine among acquaintances.
How do you pronounce "Güey"?
Say it "GWEY (rhymes with 'way')" — capitals mark the stressed syllable. In IPA: ɡwei.

Related in Spanish

Pendejo pen-DEH-hoh Dumbass / idiot Baboso bah-BOH-soh Idiot / fool / dope Menso MEN-soh Silly / dummy / dim Naco NAH-koh Tacky / trashy / classless Mamón mah-MOHN Stuck-up jerk / smug show-off Cabrón kah-BROHN Bastard / badass / dude — depends entirely on tone

The same idea, elsewhere

Via concepts like "You idiot".

how to say "You idiot" →

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