How do Mexicans use güey?
Mexicans use güey in three ways: to address a friend ("dude"), to mean "a guy" (ese güey, "that guy"), and as an insult ("idiot"). The first two are friendly between friends who talk that way; the third is not. These examples are for recognizing it, not for saying:
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¿Qué onda, güey?
What's up, dude?
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Güey, no vas a creer lo que pasó.
Dude, you won't believe what happened.
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Ese güey es mi primo.
That guy is my cousin.
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No seas güey.
Don't be an idiot.
Is güey offensive?
It can be. Between friends who use it, it's as harmless as "dude", but it started as an insult (calling someone an ox, meaning dumb), and from a stranger, to someone older or in an argument it still means "idiot". Many Mexicans also find it too crude for work or a family meal, which is why it's a word to recognize, not to use.
| Who you're talking to | Can you say it? |
|---|---|
| Close friends who say it themselves | They will; you don't need to |
| Strangers, older people, anyone serving you | Avoid |
| Work, family meals | Avoid |
| In an argument | Avoid: it's an insult |
What can you say instead of güey?
Usually nothing: Spanish doesn't need a "dude" in every sentence. To get a friend's attention, use their name or Oye ("hey"); to talk about a friend, amigo or amiga, or the friendly Mexican cuate ("buddy").
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Oye, ¿vamos al cine el sábado?Speak
Hey, shall we go to the movies on Saturday?
Oye ("hey", literally "listen") is the friendly way to get someone's attention.
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Es mi cuate.
He's my buddy.
Is güey the same as güero?
No. Güero (or güera) is a different word: it means someone with light hair or light skin, and in Mexico it's usually said in a friendly way. Market vendors often call out to customers with it, as in ¿Qué le damos, güero? ("What can we get you?").
How can you practice Mexican Spanish out loud?
Practice it in short, real exchanges, out loud. CiaoSpeak's Spanish course is set in Mexico City: the lessons teach everyday words like ¿Qué onda? with a recording and a note on when to use them, and in the Speak tab a taco vendor, a taxi driver or your language-exchange partner Ana asks you one question at a time. You answer by voice (or typing), and the app tells you whether a person would understand you. Lessons are free; in the Speak tab, today's questions (up to five a day) are free too, and CiaoSpeak+ adds practice in any scene whenever you like. More words like this one: the Mexican slang list.
Frequently asked questions
How do you pronounce güey?
Close to the English word "way". The two dots on the ü mean the u is pronounced, and in fast Mexican speech the g is very soft, which is why people text it as wey or we.
Can women be called güey?
Yes. Between friends, güey is used for women as well as men, and the word doesn't change.
Should a foreigner say güey?
Better not. Even Mexicans who say it all day with friends keep it away from strangers, older people and work, and from a foreigner it often sounds forced or rude. Use the person's name or oye instead.