energía
neutral, Mexico
The word is energía. In Mexico people also say ponerse las pilas for "get energized" or "get moving", which literally means putting batteries in. It is also called ganas.
Meaning: power or vitality (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| energía | neutral, Mexico |
| ponerse las pilas | colloquial |
| ganas | drive |
Say tengo mucha energía for "I have a lot of energy" and no tengo energía for "I have none". For electricity, use energía eléctrica.
Which one should you use?
Ganas means will or desire, so no tengo ganas means "I do not feel like it". It is different from energía, which is physical or mental power.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The country's state electricity company is the Comisión Federal de Electricidad, or CFE, which is why Mexicans link the word with the power bill.
Did you know?
- Ponerse las pilas is a widely used Mexican expression and it comes from the batteries that power toys and radios.
Examples in context
- Hoy tengo mucha energía.Today I have a lot of energy.
- Ponte las pilas, que ya es tarde.Get moving, it is already late.
- Pagué la energía eléctrica.I paid the electricity bill.
Example conversation
Coach Víctor talks with the player Daniel before a game in Toluca.
- VíctorDaniel, hoy necesito más energía.Daniel, today I need more energy.
- DanielSí, entrenador, ahorita me pongo las pilas.Yes, coach, I will get going right now.
- VíctorEso quería escuchar.That is what I wanted to hear.
