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órale means wow — a common term in Mexican Slang. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: November 6, 2025

🌶️ Mexican Slang

órale

interjection • /[OH-ra-leh]/

wow

Example:

¡Órale! Qué vista tan chida.

Wow! What a nice view.

🧠 What does órale mean?

Órale is a highly versatile interjection primarily used in Mexico and by Mexican-American communities. Its meaning is heavily dependent on context, intonation, and accompanying gestures, making it one of the most expressive informal words in Mexican Spanish. It can convey surprise or astonishment, similar to 'wow' or 'amazing'. It is also used to express agreement, encouragement, or approval, akin to 'alright', 'okay', or 'let's do it'. Furthermore, it can imply urgency, meaning 'hurry up' or 'come on', or even serve as an informal greeting or an acknowledgement, like 'hey' or 'go ahead'. Understanding its nuances is key to grasping informal Mexican communication.

📚 Extra examples

  • ¡Órale, qué bonito coche te compraste!
    Wow, what a nice car you bought!
  • —¿Vamos al cine? —¡Órale!
    —Shall we go to the movies? —Alright! (Let's do it!)
  • ¡Órale, ya es tarde, tenemos que irnos!
    Come on, it's already late, we have to go!
  • Órale, ¿qué onda?
    Hey, what's up?

💡 Did You Know?

The exact etymology of 'órale' is debated, but it is widely believed to be a contraction or derivation of 'ahora le', meaning 'now to him/her/it' or 'now, you', which evolved into an all-purpose interjection. Its widespread use in Mexico makes it a cultural marker of Mexican Spanish.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "órale"

Synonyms: ¡Guau!, ¡Vaya!, ¡De acuerdo!, ¡Anda!, ¡Ándale!, ¡Apúrate!, ¡Date prisa!, ¡Vamos!
Opposites: No, No estoy de acuerdo, Despacio, No te muevas

🔍 See more mexican slang words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'wow' in Spanish?
While 'wow' can be expressed in various ways depending on the context, 'órale' is a common Mexican interjection used to convey similar surprise or astonishment. Other options include '¡Guau!' or '¡Vaya!'
How do you pronounce 'órale' in Spanish?
The pronunciation of 'órale' is 'OH-rah-leh'. The stress falls on the first 'o', which is an open 'o' sound. The 'r' is a soft, single 'r' sound, similar to the 'tt' in 'butter' in American English, and the final 'e' is like the 'e' in 'pet'.
How do you use 'órale' in a sentence?
Órale is an interjection, so it often stands alone or at the beginning of a phrase. It can express surprise ('¡Órale, qué bonito está!'), agreement ('¡Órale, vamos a hacerlo!'), or urgency ('¡Órale, muévete!'). Its versatility means its usage is highly context-dependent.
What is the English translation of 'órale'?
The English translation of 'órale' is highly contextual. It can mean 'wow', 'alright', 'hurry up', 'come on', 'go ahead', or even 'hey', among other informal acknowledgements or encouragements.
Does 'órale' change for gender or number?
As an interjection, 'órale' does not change for gender or number. Its form remains constant regardless of the subject or object of the communication.
Is 'órale' common in everyday Spanish?
'Órale' is very common in everyday spoken Spanish, particularly in Mexico and among Mexican-American communities in the United States. It is a highly versatile and frequently used expression in informal settings.
Does 'órale' have slang or double meanings?
'Órale' itself is a slang term, predominantly Mexican. While it does not typically carry a distinct 'double meaning' in the sense of a hidden, inappropriate implication, its meaning is highly fluid and dependent on context, intonation, and gestures, allowing it to convey a wide range of intentions.
Is 'órale' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
'Órale' is a distinctly Mexican and Central American interjection. It is not typically used in Spain, where other expressions like '¡Anda!' or '¡Venga!' might serve some similar functions, though 'órale' is unique in its breadth of application in Mexico.

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