California Spanish
Vato
Used when referring to a male in a casual or familiar setting.
Literal Meaning
A male person; a man.
Actual Meaning
Male person
Examples in Context

No te preocupes, amigo; tú puedes, vato!

Ese vato allá es mi hermano.

Oye vato, ¿vas a venir a la fiesta más tarde?

Helpful Tips
  • 1Be mindful of tone; 'vato' can be playful or disrespectful depending on how it's used and the relationship between the speakers.
  • 2In casual settings, 'vato' is often used among friends and can imply camaraderie or familiarity.
  • 3While typically referring to a male person, 'vato' can sometimes be used in a friendly manner regardless of gender, but context is key.
Phrase Thesaurus
Similar words and synonyms for this phrase
guy
fellow
man
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