compadre
The Portuguese phrase compadre means a close friend or the father of a godchild.
compadre is used to describe a close friend or, more specifically, a person who shares the role of a co-parent through religious or social ties. In many Portuguese-speaking cultures, calling someone compadre is a way to express a very high level of intimacy and brotherhood.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is derived from the Latin cum (with) and patre (father), meaning co-father.
Which one should you use?
While it can be used generally for a close friend, its specific technical meaning refers to the relationship between a child's parent and the child's godfather. Its feminine counterpart is comadre, which is used for a close female friend or the mother of a godchild.
Did you know?
- In certain rural Portuguese dialects, compadre can be used as a vocative to get a stranger's attention, acting as a friendly but slightly informal filler word.
- In Portuguese, the phrase ser compadre can sometimes imply a secret agreement or a 'conspiracy' between two people to achieve a goal.
- The relationship of compadrio is historically used as a strategic social alliance to create support networks and mutual protection between families.
Examples in context
- Ele é meu grande compadre.He is my close friend.
- O compadre de João é muito engraçado.João's compadre is very funny.
- Eu vou tomar um café com o compadre.I am going to have coffee with my compadre.
Example conversation
Felipe is talking to Mariana about a mutual friend.
- FelipeVocê conhece o meu compadre, o Ricardo?Do you know my compadre, Ricardo?
- MarianaNão, eu ainda não conheci ele.No, I haven't met him yet.
- FelipeEle é um cara muito legal.He is a very cool guy.
- MarianaTudo bem, quero conhecê-lo logo.All right, I want to meet him soon.
