Definition 'Pana?

Question

In the musical 'In The Heights' some of the characters say 'mi pana' to address the audience while they're singing. i looked up the lyrics and some websites show it as 'pana, so is it a shortened version of something? Context: As for mañana mi 'pana you gotta just keep watchin'

what could it stand for? what does it mean?

Answer 1

Hola:

It is used in Colombia too.

Answer 2

Here are two explanations as to the origin of the word pana when used to mean friend.

One from an indigenous word panaca and another from the English word partner.

Answer 3

It's extremely common in Venezuela. ¡Epa, pana! is like, Hey, dude!

I always assumed it was short for compañero, but I could be way off base. It's just an informal way of addressing a friend.

Answer 4

friend, like a close friend, but it's central america idiom, not used everywhere.

Answer 5

means "my partner", could be a close friend as in "partner-in-crime", etc NOTE: Different Spanish-speaking cultures may have slightly different meanings for this term