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"Compadre" is a noun which is often translated as "son's godfather", and "colega" is a noun which is often translated as "colleague". Learn more about the difference between "compadre" and "colega" below.
el compadre(
kohm
-
pah
-
dreh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
a. son's godfather
Salió a tomar algo con su compadre.He went out for a drink with his son's godfather.
b. daughter's godfather
Hace tiempo que no vi a mi compadre.It's ages since I saw my daughter's godfather.
a. godson's father
¿Cuándo fue la última vez que vimos al compadre?When was the last time we saw our godson's father?
b. goddaughter's father
Voy a llamar al compadre y decirle que se pase a vernos un día.I'm going to call our goddaughter's father and tell him to come by and see us one day.
3. (colloquial) (friend)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. buddy (colloquial) (United States)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United States
Voy a salir con mis compadres este viernes por la noche.I'm going out with my buddies on Friday night.
b. mate (colloquial) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Me divertí con mis compadres en el partido de fútbol.I had a good time with my mates at the football match.
el colega, la colega(
koh
-
leh
-
gah
)This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
a. colleague
Voy a tomar unos tragos con mis colegas después del trabajo.I'm going to have a few drinks with my colleagues after work.
b. coworker (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
La mitad de los empleados afirmaron que saldrían con un colega.Half of the employees claimed they would date a coworker.
a. counterpart
Mi colega en Microsoft es la competencia, no mi enemigo.My counterpart at Microsoft is the competition, not my enemy.
b. opposite number
Su colega en la sede de Nueva York conoce el negocio mejor que ella.Her opposite number in the New York office knows more about the business than her.
3. (colloquial) (friend) (Spain)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Spain
a. pal (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Mis familiares y mis colegas me dieron una fiesta sorpresa cuando me gradué.My family and my pals threw a surprise party for me when I graduated.
b. buddy (colloquial) (United States)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United States
Calma, colega. Era solo una broma.Relax, buddy. I was just joking.
c. mate (colloquial) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Mis colegas y yo vamos a salir. ¿Quieres sumarte?Me and my mates are going out. Do you want to join us?
