güero
slang, Mexico, male
In Mexican slang a fair-skinned or blond person is a güero, or a güera for a woman. It is usually friendly, unlike the English word "whitey". It is also called gringo.
Meaning: light-skinned or fair-haired person, informal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| güero | slang, Mexico, male |
| güera | slang, Mexico, female |
| gringo | slang, foreigner |
Mexicans use güero as a nickname for people with light hair or skin, and güerito is the affectionate form. Vendors may call any customer güerito as a friendly way to get attention.
Which one should you use?
Gringo refers to a foreigner, especially from the United States, and not to skin color. The tone depends on context and can be neutral or negative.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Tone matters. Even though güero is often affectionate, a stranger using it in an unkind voice can be insulting.
Did you know?
- Mexican markets are known for vendors who use nicknames such as güero, jefe and patrón to greet customers.
Examples in context
- Mi tío es güero y de ojos azules.My uncle is fair-skinned and blue-eyed.
- Pásele, güerito, aquí hay frutas frescas.Come on, friend, there is fresh fruit here.
- A mi hermana le dicen la güera.People call my sister the blonde.
Example conversation
Vendor Don Beto calls to Tomás and his sister at a market in Mexico City.
- Don Beto¡Güerito, pásele, hay fresas!Hey there, come on, we have strawberries!
- Tomás¿A cuánto el kilo?How much per kilo?
- Don BetoA cuarenta pesos, joven.Forty pesos, young man.
