bo
“bo” means “hey” in Spanish (calling for attention).
hey, dude / man
Also: look
📝 In Action
¡Bo! ¿Me estás escuchando?
A2Hey! Are you listening to me?
¿Qué hacés, bo? Tanto tiempo.
B1What's up, man? Long time no see.
No me digas eso, bo, que me pongo triste.
B2Don't tell me that, dude, it makes me sad.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "bo" in Spanish:
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Quick Quiz: bo
Question 1 of 3
Where would you be most likely to hear the word 'bo' used in every other sentence?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Most linguists believe it is a shortened form of 'botija' (a common Uruguayan word for child/youth), or potentially a contraction of 'vos' (the regional word for 'you').
First recorded: 19th century
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'bo' the same as 'che'?
Almost! They are used in the same way to call someone's attention. However, 'che' is used all over Argentina and Uruguay, while 'bo' is very specifically Uruguayan.
Can I use 'bo' for more than one person?
Yes. While it usually targets one person you are looking at, it can be used to address a group of friends informally.
How is it spelled? I've seen 'voh' or 'bó'.
In informal texting, you might see variations, but 'bo' is the standard way to write this sound in the Río de la Plata region.