Varón vs. hombre

Question

Is there any subtle difference in meaning of which I should be aware? Gracias.

Answer 1

Varón is male (but only in humans, when properly used). Hombre is man.

Also the term "varón" tends to imply a sense of unequivocal maleness and virility.

Not meaning to offend anyone (please), but in traditional Hispanic cultures you can have "un hombre gay", but never "un varón gay".

Pero un ratón varón? Sorry, lizard, you've made me laugh. - annierats, Nov 18, 2011

Answer 2

Varón is what a cute high school girl calls a high school guy in order to get him to give her his seat on a standing room only bus. Hombre is what she calls an older guy she doesn't know.

This is funny. :-) - Gekkosan, Nov 18, 2011

Thank you Lorenzo, best explanaition by far. - annierats, Nov 19, 2011

Answer 3

Un varón es un hombre macho.

Answer 4

Tengo dos hijos y tres nietos, and from that statement it wouldn't be clear whether they are all males or some of them are females after all there only needs to be one female amongst them and the statement would be gramatically correct on the other hand would it not be correct for me to say: Tengo dos hijos, tres nietos y todos son varones, on saying this surely I would only be saying that they are all males rather than macho virile males.

This is correct. However, you must understand the deep cultural concern that traditional Hispanic cultures have with "real man maleness". In my post I stated that first and foremost, "varón" means simply male. The other sense cannot be ignored, though. - Gekkosan, Nov 18, 2011

In the context you have supplied, varones means just that the grandkids are all male. If you say, however, "Ken es un verdadero varón", you are making a firm statement about Ken's quality as a real worthy manly man. - Gekkosan, Nov 18, 2011

Also, macho in Spain can be used just to say young male a bout animals, no hidden meaning, I think that can include humans. - annierats, Nov 19, 2011

Gracias. - kenwilliams, Nov 19, 2011