macho vs varon

Question

I was recently told by a Mexican friend that to call a man macho was an insult. I thought it was a compliment. ( Village peoples macho man song). He said I should use varon. So my question is calling someone macho insult or compliment?

Answer 1

I think all the answers are good, so far.

Just so that everyone's clear, let it be known that I am a Varón, and I am also a Muy Macho Lizard! Grrrr!!!

jajaja hilarious! - alba3, Dec 17, 2010

Answer 2

In Perú we use "macho" for male animals and "varón" for male humans. A male baby would often be called "un bebito varoncito".

Answer 3

I don't know about 'regions'.. 'Macho' is a generic word for male, of any species. Since we are not just 'any' species, there is a word exclusively for humans ('varón'), and that's the one that should be used in most cases, exactly as 'mujer' or other similar words are used for women instead of 'hembra'.

'Macho', as an adjective, has very concrete connotations in Spanish, mostly related to the ability to perform in bed. At best, or as a compliment, it's a way of saying that someone is a man's man -basically that you are a heterosexual stereotype, enjoy playing sports, womanizing etc..- but it can also be used as a replacement for 'machista', in other words that you behave like an 'alpha male' around women.

Unfortunately, machismo also includes beating your wife. - lorenzo9, Dec 17, 2010

Exactly, which is why it's not a good idea to call people 'macho' unless there's a lot of familiarity, or else it may be taken the wrong way. - bill1111, Dec 17, 2010

Answer 4

In some regions, macho is used for animals and varón for people.

Also, many men do not consider references to the Village People in descriptions of themselves to be complimentary.

¡Ja, ja, ja, ja!! - Gekkosan, Dec 17, 2010

Answer 5

It is diffrent because might there are diffrent culture of conversation in the Mexico. So, it could be insult, for other, it could be compliment.