madres
/MA-dres/
mothers
The primary meaning of madres is 'mothers' (female parents).
📝 In Action
Las madres de la escuela organizaron la fiesta.
A2The mothers at the school organized the party.
Mis padres y mis madres siempre me apoyaron.
B1My fathers and my mothers (parents) always supported me.
💡 Grammar Points
Plural Form
'Madres' is simply the plural of 'madre.' Spanish nouns ending in a vowel (like 'e') become plural by adding '-s'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal vs. Informal
Use 'madres' in formal contexts; use 'mamás' (moms) in casual settings.
In Mexican slang, madres can refer generically to 'stuff' or objects.
madres(noun)
stuff
?generic objects or things (Mexican slang)
junk
?worthless items
,things
?general items
📝 In Action
Quita esas madres de mi escritorio, por favor.
B2Take that stuff off my desk, please.
¿Qué madres estás haciendo aquí?
C1What the heck are you doing here?
No sé cómo funciona esta madre.
B2I don't know how this thing works. (Note: often used in singular 'madre' for 'thing')
💡 Grammar Points
Generic Placeholder
In Mexico, 'madres' (or the singular 'madre') often replaces words like 'cosa' (thing) or 'asunto' (matter) when speaking very casually.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
This usage is highly specific to Mexican Spanish. Using it in other countries might not be understood, or could be seen as confusing or vulgar.
Madres is used as a strong interjection to express frustration or surprise, similar to 'damn it!'
madres(interjection)
damn it!
?expression of frustration or surprise
nothing at all
?used in negative phrases like 'no me importa ni madres'
,wow!
?expression of intensity or scale
📝 In Action
¡Qué poca madre!
C1That's terrible! / That's messed up! (Literally 'what little mother' - expressing outrage)
No me dijo ni madres sobre la reunión.
C2He didn't tell me a damn thing about the meeting.
¡A qué horas, madres!
C1What the heck time is it?
💡 Grammar Points
The Power of Negation
When used with a negative word (like 'no' or 'ni'), 'madres' strongly emphasizes that absolutely nothing happened or exists: 'No hay ni madres' (There is absolutely nothing).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using Slang Formally
Mistake: "Using 'madres' in a professional or respectful setting."
Correction: This usage is highly vulgar and offensive in many contexts. Stick to 'cosas' or 'nada' for neutral settings.
⭐ Usage Tips
Warning: Vulgarity
This sense of 'madres' is considered a palabra fuerte (strong word) in Mexico. Use it only when you are comfortable using swear words in English.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: madres
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'madres' in its literal, non-slang meaning?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'madres' always a vulgar word?
No. When used literally to mean 'mothers,' it is perfectly neutral and formal. However, when used in phrases like 'ni madres,' 'qué madres,' or 'a la chingada madre,' it is highly vulgar slang, primarily in Mexico, and should be avoided in polite company.
Why does a word for 'mother' get used for swear words?
This is common across many cultures, especially in Spanish. Words related to family, especially the mother figure, carry immense emotional weight. Using them in a vulgar or exaggerated way gives the expression maximum impact and intensity.