How to Say "gay man" in Spanish

The Spanish word for “gay man” is “pato” — C1 level.

English → SpanishC1

pato

nounC1slang

often used as an insult

A simple, non-stereotypical illustration showing two identical human silhouettes standing side-by-side, holding hands, against a plain background.

Examples

¡Cuidado! En esa zona, 'pato' es un insulto muy grave.

Be careful! In that area, 'pato' is a very serious insult.

Crucial Register Warning

This meaning is strongly offensive and should never be used unless you are quoting someone or discussing social language.

Misunderstanding Context

Mistake: “Using 'pato' casually, assuming it means 'friend' or 'guy' like some other animal names.”

Correction: Always use a neutral term like 'chico' or 'amigo' instead, as 'pato' carries strong negative connotations in this context across many regions.

Related Translations

drake duck queer

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