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

📅 Published: December 16, 2025

🌶️ Mexican Slang

padre

adjective • /[PA-dreh]/

great

Example:

La peli estuvo padre.

The movie was great.

🧠 What does padre mean?

In Mexican slang, 'padre' is an adjective used to describe something as excellent, fantastic, or very good. It conveys a strong sense of approval or admiration, similar to saying something is 'great' or 'awesome' in English. It is important to note that this usage is distinct from the literal meaning of 'padre' as 'father'.

📚 Extra examples

  • ¡Qué padre concierto anoche!
    What a great concert last night!
  • Tu nuevo coche está muy padre.
    Your new car is very cool.
  • La película estuvo padre, me encantó.
    The movie was great, I loved it.
  • El ambiente en la fiesta era súper padre.
    The atmosphere at the party was super awesome.
  • Me compré unos tenis bien padres.
    I bought myself some really cool sneakers.

💡 Did You Know?

The slang use of 'padre' as an adjective for 'great' or 'cool' originated in Mexico and is a prime example of how words can evolve and take on new meanings in different cultural contexts.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "padre"

Synonyms: chido, genial, chévere, bacán
Opposites: malo, terrible, horrible

🔍 See more mexican slang words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'great' in Spanish?
While 'gran' or 'excelente' are common translations for 'great', in Mexican slang, 'padre' is used to mean 'great' or 'cool'.
How do you pronounce 'padre' in Spanish?
The pronunciation is 'PAH-dray'. The 'a' is like the 'a' in 'father', and the 'e' is like the 'e' in 'hey'.
How do you use 'padre' in a sentence?
'Padre' functions as an adjective and typically follows the noun it describes or is used in exclamations. For example, 'La fiesta estuvo padre' (The party was great) or '¡Qué padre!' (How great!).
What is the English translation of 'padre'?
The most common literal translation of 'padre' is 'father'. However, in Mexican slang, it translates to 'great', 'cool', or 'awesome'.
Does 'padre' change for gender or number?
In its slang usage meaning 'great', 'padre' is generally used in its singular form and does not change for gender or number. It remains 'padre' regardless of whether the noun is masculine or feminine, singular or plural.
Is 'padre' common in everyday Spanish?
The slang use of 'padre' meaning 'great' or 'cool' is very common in Mexico among informal speakers, especially younger generations. It is not typically used in formal settings or in Spanish spoken in other countries.
Does 'padre' have slang or double meanings?
Yes, 'padre' has a significant slang meaning in Mexico. While its primary meaning is 'father', it is widely used as slang to mean 'great', 'cool', or 'awesome'.
Is 'padre' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
Yes, the slang usage of 'padre' for 'great' is specific to Mexico. In Spain and most other Latin American countries, 'padre' exclusively refers to 'father'. Other slang terms are used in different regions to convey a similar meaning of 'great' or 'cool'.

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