Inklingo
← Dictionary

paisano

pie-SAH-no/paiˈsano/

fellow countryman

Also: homie
NounmB1
Two people shaking hands warmly in front of a shared national landmark.

📝 In Action

¡Qué alegría encontrar a un paisano en este país!

A2

What a joy to find a fellow countryman in this country!

Es mi paisano; los dos somos de un pueblo pequeño de Galicia.

B1

He's my fellow countryman; we're both from a small village in Galicia.

Siempre trato de ayudar a mis paisanos cuando llegan a la ciudad.

B2

I always try to help my fellow townspeople when they arrive in the city.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • querido paisano – dear countryman
  • viejo paisano – old friend from home

peasant

Also: countryman
NounmB2
A person in simple clothing carrying a basket of vegetables in a rural field.

📝 In Action

Los paisanos trajeron sus mejores frutas al mercado.

B2

The country folk brought their best fruits to the market.

Es un hombre humilde, un paisano de las montañas.

B1

He is a humble man, a countryman from the mountains.

Las tradiciones de los paisanos se mantienen vivas en esta región.

C1

The traditions of the country people are kept alive in this region.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • urbanita (city dweller)

civilian

NounmC1
A person in everyday casual clothes walking past a row of empty military uniforms.

📝 In Action

El policía iba vestido de paisano para pasar desapercibido.

C1

The police officer was dressed in civilian clothes to go unnoticed.

Aunque es soldado, hoy está de paisano.

B2

Although he is a soldier, today he is in civilian attire.

Varios agentes de paisano vigilaban la entrada del edificio.

C2

Several plainclothes agents were watching the building entrance.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • ir de paisano – to be in civilian clothes
  • vestido de paisano – dressed in plain clothes

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "paisano" in Spanish:

civilian→countryman→fellow countryman→homie→peasant→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: paisano

Question 1 of 3

If you meet someone in London and find out you are both from the same small town in Mexico, you would call them your:

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
país(country) — Noun
paisaje(landscape) — Noun
paisanaje(the group of people from a place) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Derived from the word 'país' (country), which comes from the French 'pays'. Ultimately, it traces back to the Latin 'pagus', meaning a district or village.

First recorded: 16th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: paysanItalian: paesano

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'paisano' offensive?

Generally, no. It is usually a term of affection or identity. However, like 'peasant' in English, calling someone a 'paisano' to imply they are uneducated or unsophisticated could be rude depending on your tone.

Can I use 'paisano' for a woman?

Yes, but you must change the ending: 'una paisana'. Example: 'Ella es mi paisana'.

Does 'paisano' only mean someone from the same country?

It can be broader (same country) or narrower (same town). It basically means 'from my neck of the woods'.