Hola, hermano
neutral
In Mexico you can say Hola, hermano to a brother. Between friends the slang is ¿Qué onda, carnal?, where carnal means close friend or brother. It is also called Hola, mano.
Meaning: greeting to a brother or close friend (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| Hola, hermano | neutral |
| ¿Qué onda, carnal? | slang, Mexico |
| Hola, mano | casual, Mexico |
Carnal is popular in northern and central Mexico and is used among men. Mano is a short form of hermano and is also casual.
Which one should you use?
Hermano fits a real sibling, a friend or a religious setting. Carnal feels street-smart and friendly.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The slang is mostly spoken, and the exact favorite word changes between regions and age groups.
Did you know?
- Carnal comes from carne, which fits the idea of someone close like family.
Examples in context
- Hola, hermano, ¿cómo estás?Hello, brother, how are you?
- ¿Qué onda, carnal?What is up, bro?
Example conversation
Rodrigo meets his older brother Adrián at the bus station in Monterrey.
- RodrigoHola, hermano, ¿cómo te fue en el viaje?Hello, brother, how was your trip?
- AdriánBien, pero cansado.Good, but tired.
- RodrigoVamos, carnal, te invito unos tacos.Let us go, bro, I will treat you to tacos.
