Inklingo

How to Say "mate" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “mate” is “compañero” — use this term to refer to a close friend or partner, particularly in British/Australian slang contexts, implying a strong bond.

compañeroA2

Use this term to refer to a close friend or partner, particularly in British/Australian slang contexts, implying a strong bond.

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colega🔊B1

This is a common and versatile term for a friend or pal, suitable for most informal situations when addressing someone you know well.

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camarada🔊B1

Use this word for a friend or colleague, often implying a shared experience or a sense of camaraderie, though it can also be used informally.

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tíoB1

This is a very informal term, similar to 'dude' or 'mate' in UK/Australian English, used among close friends, especially in Spain.

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chaval🔊B1

This is an informal address, commonly used in Spain, similar to 'mate' or 'lad', typically used when speaking to someone younger or a peer.

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pareja🔊A1

Use this term when referring to a partner in a specific context, such as a dance partner, a game partner, or a romantic partner.

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primo🔊A1

This is a colloquial term of address, often used regionally, that can function like 'mate' or 'bro' between friends, even if they aren't related.

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tronco🔊B2

This is a very informal term, often used in contexts that mimic UK-style English slang, similar to 'dude' or 'mate'.

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co🔊C1

Use this very casual interjection as a friendly, informal address to a friend, similar to 'dude' or 'mate' in a laid-back setting.

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English → Spanish

compañero

nounA2informal
Use this term to refer to a close friend or partner, particularly in British/Australian slang contexts, implying a strong bond.

Examples

Mi compañero de piso me dejó una nota.

My flatmate left me a note.

colega

coh-LEH-gahkoˈleɣa

nounB1informal
This is a common and versatile term for a friend or pal, suitable for most informal situations when addressing someone you know well.
Two children, a boy and a girl, sitting on a park bench and sharing a snack, depicting close friendship.

Examples

¡Hola, colega! ¿Vamos a tomar algo?

Hey, mate! Shall we go for a drink?

¡Qué pasa, colega! ¿Vamos al cine esta noche?

What's up, mate! Shall we go to the cinema tonight?

Ese es mi colega desde la universidad.

That's been my buddy since university.

camarada

kah-mah-RAH-dahkamaˈɾaða

nounB1informal
Use this word for a friend or colleague, often implying a shared experience or a sense of camaraderie, though it can also be used informally.
Two people wearing simple matching solid-color uniforms standing shoulder-to-shoulder, one resting a hand on the other's shoulder, signifying their alliance as comrades.

Examples

Mi camarada de la universidad me ayudó a estudiar para el examen.

My university companion/mate helped me study for the exam.

Los viejos camaradas de guerra se encontraron después de muchos años.

The old comrades-in-arms met after many years.

Ella es una camarada muy leal en el trabajo.

She is a very loyal colleague at work.

Gender is Flexible

Even though 'camarada' ends in '-a', it can refer to both men and women. The word you use before it (the article) tells you the gender: 'el camarada' (male) or 'la camarada' (female).

Confusing Gender

Mistake: “Using 'el camarada' for a woman.”

Correction: Use 'la camarada' when referring to a woman. The word itself doesn't change, only the article.

tío

nounB1very informal
This is a very informal term, similar to 'dude' or 'mate' in UK/Australian English, used among close friends, especially in Spain.

Examples

Oye, tío, ¿qué hora es?

Hey dude, what time is it?

chaval

cha-VALtʃaˈβal

nounB1informal
This is an informal address, commonly used in Spain, similar to 'mate' or 'lad', typically used when speaking to someone younger or a peer.
Two friends standing casually side-by-side, bumping fists and smiling.

Examples

¿Qué pasa, chaval? ¿Vienes a la fiesta?

What's up, mate? Are you coming to the party?

Oye, chaval, ¿me puedes pasar la sal?

Hey, guy, can you pass me the salt?

Direct Address

When used in this way, 'chaval' is like an exclamation or a direct address, similar to putting 'hey' or 'man' at the beginning of a sentence.

Formal Situations

Mistake: “Using 'chaval' to address an older person or someone in a professional setting.”

Correction: This word is highly informal. Use 'Señor' or 'Señora' for respect, or 'usted' for formal address.

pareja

pah-REH-hahpaˈɾe.xa

nounA1
Use this term when referring to a partner in a specific context, such as a dance partner, a game partner, or a romantic partner.
Two stylized figures, one slightly taller than the other, standing close together and holding hands, smiling warmly.

Examples

Mi pareja de baile es muy buena.

My dance partner is very good.

Mi pareja y yo vamos a adoptar un perro.

My partner and I are going to adopt a dog.

Ellos son una pareja muy divertida.

They are a very fun couple.

¿Quién es tu pareja de baile?

Who is your dance partner?

Always Feminine

Even if the person you are referring to is male, the word 'pareja' is always feminine: 'El es mi pareja' (He is my partner).

Using Masculine Article

Mistake: “El pareja”

Correction: La pareja. Remember that the word itself determines the article, not the gender of the person.

primo

PREE-mohˈpɾimo

nounA1colloquial
This is a colloquial term of address, often used regionally, that can function like 'mate' or 'bro' between friends, even if they aren't related.
Two young boys sitting on green grass, smiling and playing with a toy truck together.

Examples

Oye, primo, ¿me prestas tu coche?

Hey, cuz/mate, can you lend me your car?

Mi primo Juan viene a visitarnos este verano.

My cousin Juan is coming to visit us this summer.

No he visto a mi primo desde la boda de mi tía.

I haven't seen my cousin since my aunt's wedding.

Gender Matching

Remember that 'primo' is only for a male cousin. If you are talking about a female cousin, you must use 'prima'.

Confusing Gender

Mistake: “Mi primo (female) es muy inteligente.”

Correction: Mi prima es muy inteligente. (The ending must match the gender of the person.)

tronco

TRON-koˈtɾoŋko

nounB2very informal
This is a very informal term, often used in contexts that mimic UK-style English slang, similar to 'dude' or 'mate'.
Two friendly people wearing casual clothes, high-fiving in a park.

Examples

Oye, tronco, ¿quieres venir al cine?

Hey, dude, do you want to come to the movies?

co

koko

interjectionC1casual
Use this very casual interjection as a friendly, informal address to a friend, similar to 'dude' or 'mate' in a laid-back setting.
Two friendly young men greeting each other with a cheerful fist bump in a bright, colorful park.

Examples

¡Hola, co! ¿Cómo vas?

Hi, dude! How's it going?

¡Oye, co, espérame un momento!

Hey, mate, wait for me a second!

No me digas eso, co, que no me lo creo.

Don't tell me that, man, I don't believe it.

The 'Aragonese' Tag

This word is a 'filler' used to address friends. It doesn't change the meaning of the sentence, but it makes you sound like a local from Zaragoza.

Where to put it

You can use this at the very beginning of a sentence to get attention, or at the very end as a friendly closer.

Using it in formal meetings

Mistake: “Using 'co' when talking to your boss.”

Correction: Only use this with close friends or people your own age in casual settings.

Regional Confusion

Mistake: “Using 'co' in Mexico or Argentina.”

Correction: People will likely understand you're using slang, but they use 'güey' or 'che' instead. 'Co' is specifically from Aragon, Spain.

Informal Address Confusion

The most common mistake is using 'tío' or 'chaval' outside of Spain, or using 'primo' when you are not actually related. While 'colega' and 'compañero' are safer, always consider the specific region and your relationship with the person.

Related Translations

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