"que poca madre tienes!"

Question

How would you said that in English? In a negative type of context per se, que poca madre la tuya, como pudiste haber hecho eso.

Answer 1

Qué poca madre la tuya (You suck/ you're a shame)

Como pudiste haber hecho eso (How could you have done that)

"Qué poca madre" is mexican slang and has two meanings depending on context, although the negative is more common. My translation on the negative context as requested can be backed here and the positive can be verified here. The positive is less common because a phrase like "A toda madre" (Totally awesome) or "Está con madre" (It's awesome) would be more likely used. Sorry if I got off subject there. =]

Oh and one last thing, this is informal slang, not something you'd say to your elders, boss, nor someone you don't know well. They could take it offensively.

DJ, I vote for you for making such an effort, I shall now look up your links. Thank you! - annierats, Jul 18, 2012

=] - DJ_Huero, Jul 18, 2012

Answer 2

I've heard this in some Mexican telenovelas, and I think in this case it means to have no shame. Qué poca madre tienes = You have no shame.

That is correct for that phrase, and definently something used in a heated, emotional argument on a novela. La Que No Podía Amar comes to mind for me. Ana Brenda Contreras es una gran tentación. No me dejes solito con ella jeje... =] - DJ_Huero, Jul 18, 2012

jajaja mi papá también es fan de ella y de la novela xD - Juliss, Jul 18, 2012

Jaja, me gusta ver la novela si nada más para ver a ella... ayyy, ojalá que mi esposa no lo figure. Aaa, pues también me confeso la novela no es tan mal tampoco. ;-P - DJ_Huero, Jul 18, 2012

Answer 3

I find that in Mexico almost all things "madre" are bad and all things "padre" are good. This is of course a generalization.

As Annierats says in the US using "mother" is not common except for one expression that I cannot post here. Mexico is far less PC than the US as we call our friends and loved ones by nicknames that would get you dumped or hit in the US.

Answer 4

In England we never refer to mothers, when cursing, we just say F*** you! I can give further information ad sugggestions, but you have to send me a PM and a bottle a of Rioja. Gracias, amigo.