No mames
/no mames/from spelling rules
No mames is the Spanish phrase for no way, get out of here or you're kidding.
No mames is a popular Mexican slang phrase that can be translated to English as "no way," "get out of here," or "you're kidding."
Which one should you use?
While No mames is vulgar, the phrase No manches is a slightly less vulgar version that carries a similar meaning. For a polite way to express disbelief without using slang, you can use No puede ser, which means "it can't be."
Is it said differently in some regions?
The phrase is more widely used in Mexico. In certain parts of Mexico, particularly in the north, you may hear variations like no manches güey instead of no mames.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the second-person singular imperative (tú) of the verb mamar.
How do you pronounce it?
/no mames/
Did you know?
- In a strictly literal sense, mames comes from the verb mamar, which refers to the act of suckling or breastfeeding.
- The softer version no manches literally means 'don't stain', replacing the vulgar reference with an unrelated verb to keep the same meaning.
- The phrase is so quintessentially Mexican that using it in Spain or Argentina might result in confusion or being seen as an outsider mimicking local slang incorrectly.
Examples in context
- ¿En serio? ¡No mames, qué suerte!Seriously? No way, that's so lucky!
- ¡No mames, qué increíble!No way, that's incredible!
- No mames, no puedo creerlo.Stop kidding, I can't believe it.
- No mames, ¿en serio hiciste eso?No way, did you seriously do that?
Example conversation
Alejandro tells Elena that he won the lottery.
- Elena¿Ganaste la lotería?You won the lottery?
- AlejandroSí, me acaban de avisar.Yes, they just told me.
- Elena¡No mames, Alejandro, qué suerte!No way, Alejandro, how lucky!
- Alejandro¡Estoy muy emocionado!I am so excited!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
