cuates
Mexico, slang
In Mexico twins are often called cuates. The standard word is gemelos, and mellizos is often used for twins who are not identical.
Meaning: two siblings born together (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| cuates | Mexico, slang |
| Gemelos | common |
| Mellizos | common |
Cuate also means buddy in Mexico, so the context tells you whether it is a friend or a twin.
Which one should you use?
In many countries gemelos are identical and mellizos are fraternal, but some speakers use both words for any twins.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain and Argentina people use gemelos and mellizos and not cuates.
Did you know?
- Cuate comes from a Nahuatl word that means twin.
Examples in context
- Mis cuates nacieron en diciembre.My twins were born in December.
- Tiene dos hijos gemelos.She has two twin sons.
- Son mellizos, no se parecen.They are fraternal twins, they do not look alike.
Example conversation
Marisol talks about her nephews in Oaxaca.
- Vecina¿Esos niños son hermanos?Are those boys brothers?
- MarisolSí, son cuates.Yes, they are twins.
- VecinaSe parecen muchísimo.They look so much alike.
