Spanish Slang Word of the Week- Huevo

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Spanish Slang Word of the Week- Huevo

Huevo (pronounced “weh-vo”) which translates to English as egg. It’s a standard enough word in the Spanish language. But like many words it has grown into a widely used word in the slang and idioms of many Spanish speaking nations.

In places like Chile it is in everyday use or every minute use. The most used word in Chile, it is used in the form of huevón or güeon it is used in most sentences. Hola huevón! Como etay? Hey dude! How are you? The meaning of this word is derived from the use of huevo as a slang word for the male body part- the balls. Huevón is big balls and in most parts of the Spanish speaking world it means idiot or stupid, but Chilean men use it among themselves as a term of friendship, and because the word stupid is not a way to address someone you don’t know, it should be used only amongst friends.

As suggested it is used colloquially to replace the words as huevo to replace the word balls. Tienes huevos? can be sometimes heard as to say “do you have balls?”

In Spain it is used as “y un huevo” – like hell”

You can sometimes hear “Tiene huevo” – to have the guts to do something, sometimes meaning to have the hide to do something

“Me vale huevo“- means it’s not worth much to me

Estaba “precio the huevo” means “it was very cheap”

Ir pisando huevos– to walk over eggs, means to go away slowly

In Mexico “A huevo” means “Hell yes, or you bet”

Also in the same country “Morderse un huevo” means to “keep you mouth shut” Muerdete un huevo. Ya lo dijiste mucho. Keep you mouth shut, you have said enough”

An idiom sometimes used is “buscarle el pelo al huevo” which means nitpicking. Siempre le estas buscando el pelo al huevo. Dejarme hacerlo de la manera que quiera. You’re always nitpicking. Let me do it the way I want.

Chile tiene cara de mujer (Photo credit: Xurxo Martínez)

“No hacer ni el huevo ” to do nothing at all

In Chile the word aguevonao– is used to mean trashed or completely fatigued

A not so polite way of using the word is “No me tocas los huevos” meaning “don’t piss me off”. Although it is not recommended to use it, sometimes it can save you from a troublesome situation knowing someone is saying it to you, as I have found myself.

There are many forums and references on the net about the word huevo like this link. It is a widely used word and good to know, and in countries like Chile, Mexico and Colombia is used in many forms, and idioms.

Better still why not try a tasty meal of huevos rancheros from Mexico for a yummy introduction to the colloquial world of the word heuvo.