pana
slang, Puerto Rico
A common Puerto Rican word for "bro" is pana, meaning buddy or close friend. Another is hermano, and many young people say brother.
Meaning: friendly word for a buddy (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| pana | slang, Puerto Rico |
| hermano | casual |
| brother | slang, borrowed from English |
Pana works as both a noun and a way to address a friend: Qué pasa, pana. It is used mostly between men but women use it too.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Pana is also used in Venezuela and Ecuador with a similar meaning. In Mexico people say carnal or bro.
Did you know?
- Puerto Rican speech mixes in English words like brother and bróder, a sign of the island's close ties with the United States.
Examples in context
- Hermano, gracias por ayudarme.Bro, thanks for helping me.
- Ese es mi pana de toda la vida.That is my lifelong buddy.
Example conversation
Jonathan meets his friend Edwin after work in Fajardo.
- JonathanQué pasa, pana.What is up, bro.
- EdwinNada, aquí, ¿y tú?Nothing much, and you?
- JonathanVamos a coger algo de beber.Let us go have something to drink.
