Spanish word

che

Pronunciation

IPA/tʃe/

Meaning

  • interjectionhey

Example

¡Che, vení un momento!

Hey, come here for a moment!

Illustration for che (hey)

More examples

¡Che, mirá esto!

Hey, look at this!

Core concept

Casual address word used among acquaintances in Río de la Plata dialects.

Common phrases

  • che, amigo

    Hey, friend

  • che, hermano

    Hey, brother

Similar words

oye: Gets attention immediately before starting to speak.
ey: Makes a short, light sound that briefly catches attention.
eh: Seeks a quick reaction or confirmation from the listener.
hola: Greets another person at the start of a conversation.

Definition in Spanish

Designa el español rioplatense usada para dirigirse a otra persona con familiaridad o para reclamar su atención brevemente.

Word origin

Most etymologists trace che to Mapudungun che 'person', which is borrowed into Río de la Plata Spanish and grammaticalized as a vocative marker.

Usage tips

  • Lowercase che is the everyday vocative while capitalized Che evokes the nickname Che Guevara, and speakers vary vowel length and stress to convey friendliness, surprise, or irritation.

Other meanings

  • oiinterjection
  • hiyainterjection

Opposites

Word lists with this word