Ya chole
/yah CHOH-leh/
Enough already! Give it a rest! I'm fed up with this.
💡 Understanding the Idiom
🎨 Literal vs. Figurative
A playful (and unproven!) origin story links 'chole' to a brand of chili sauce, as if saying 'Enough of that!'
In reality, '¡Ya chole!' is a very direct way to say 'Enough already! Stop talking about that!'
Key Words in This Idiom:
📝 In Action
¡Ya chole con tus quejas! Llevas toda la tarde diciendo lo mismo.
B1Enough already with your complaints! You've been saying the same thing all afternoon.
¿Otra vez van a poner esa canción? ¡Ya chole!
B1Are they going to play that song again? Oh, give it a rest!
Mi hermano no deja de molestarme. Le tuve que gritar: '¡YA CHOLE!'
B2My brother won't stop bothering me. I had to shout at him: 'CUT IT OUT!'
📜 Origin Story
This is pure Mexican slang, and its exact origin is a fun mystery! One popular theory is that 'chole' comes from the Nahuatl word 'xolo', which could refer to a servant or someone annoying, so you're telling them to stop. Another idea is that 'Chole' is a nickname for people named Soledad, so it's like telling a specific person, 'That's enough, Chole!' Whatever its true origin, it’s a colorful and very common way to say you've had enough.
⭐ Usage Tips
When to Use It
Use 'ya chole' when you're tired of hearing or dealing with something. It's perfect for when a friend keeps telling the same bad joke, complaining about the same problem, or playing the same song over and over. It's very informal, so save it for friends and casual situations.
Watch Your Tone
The meaning of 'ya chole' can range from a playful 'Oh, come on!' to a more serious 'I'm telling you to stop now.' Your tone of voice is everything. A light, teasing tone keeps it friendly, while a sharp, loud tone makes it a strong command.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using It Outside of Mexico
Mistake: "A learner uses 'ya chole' with a friend from Spain or Argentina."
Correction: This phrase is a hallmark of Mexican Spanish. In other Spanish-speaking countries, people will likely not understand you. Stick to more universal phrases like '¡Basta ya!' or '¡Ya es suficiente!' when you're not sure.
Using It in Formal Situations
Mistake: "Saying 'ya chole' to your boss who is giving you too much work."
Correction: This is slang and can be seen as impolite or aggressive in a formal context. With a boss, a teacher, or an elder, you would never use this. It would be very disrespectful.
🌎 Where It's Used
Mexico
Extremely common and instantly understood everywhere in the country. A core part of informal, everyday slang.
Other Countries
Largely unknown and unused in Spain and most of South and Central America. People might guess the meaning from 'ya', but 'chole' will be confusing.
🔗 Related Idioms
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: Ya chole
Question 1 of 1
You're with a Mexican friend who keeps complaining about the weather. You want to playfully tell them to stop. What's the best phrase to use?
🏷️ Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'ya chole' offensive?
It can be, but it's not inherently a bad word. It's all about context and tone. Among friends, it's usually a lighthearted way to say 'give it a rest.' But if said with an angry tone to a stranger, it's definitely confrontational and rude.
Can I just say 'Chole' by itself?
Not really. The phrase almost always includes 'ya' at the beginning. 'Ya chole' works as a complete thought. Just saying 'Chole' on its own wouldn't make sense in this context.