Mae
/mae/from spelling rules
Mae is a Spanish slang term used in Costa Rica to refer to a person, similar to dude or mate.
Mae is used as a colloquial way to address or refer to a person. While it is often used to refer to males, in modern Costa Rican slang, it is frequently used gender-neutrally to refer to any person regardless of gender.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term mae is specific to Costa Rican slang.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /mae/.
Did you know?
- The term mae is an evolution of the word maje, which originally meant someone who is 'clueless' or a 'simpleton'.
- The use of mae is such a strong marker of national identity that Costa Ricans can often identify each other in foreign countries just by hearing the word.
- In some Costa Rican social circles, mae acts as a 'filler word' similar to how English speakers use 'like' or 'um' during a sentence.
Examples in context
- Una mujer no apareció mágicamente en el transbordador espacial. Requirió la dedicación implacable de Sally Ride y el coraje sin fin de Mae Jemison para hacer añicos ese techo de cristal.A woman did not magically appear on a space shuttle. It took Sally Ride’s relentless commitment, Mae Jemison’s boundless courage to shatter that glass ceiling.This sentence is useful for seeing Mae used as a proper name.Tatoeba #5986393 by albrusgher, translation #5215504 by Hybrid
- Mae, ¿sabes dónde dejé las llaves?Dude, do you know where I left my keys?
- Ese mae es muy buena gente.That guy is a really nice dude.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a mutual friend at a cafe.
- LucíaMae, ¿viste a Daniel hoy?Dude, did you see Daniel today?
- DanielNo, no he visto a ese mae.No, I haven't seen that guy.
- LucíaQué raro, pensé que vendría.How strange, I thought he was coming.
- DanielTal vez se le olvidó.Maybe he forgot.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mae, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
