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"Cuetes" is a form of "cuete", a noun which is often translated as "firework". "Cuates" is a form of "cuate", a noun which is often translated as "buddy". Learn more about the difference between "cuetes" and "cuates" below.
el cuete, cuete(
kweh
-
teh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (pyrotechnics) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. firework
El perro se asustó cuando empezaron los cuetes.The dog got scared when the fireworks went off.
2. (weaponry) (Central America) (Mexico) (Peru)
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
Regionalism used in Mexico
Regionalism used in Peru
a. pistol
El ladrón sacó su cuete y amenazó con dispararnos si no le entregábamos nuestras billeteras.The thief pulled out his pistol and threatened to shoot us if we didn't give him our wallets.
3. (colloquial) (inebriation) (Mexico)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. no direct translation (colloquial)
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Agarré un cuete de miedo en la boda de mi primo.I got completely loaded at my cousin's wedding.
Dejé de beber alcohol porque me cansé del cuete y de la resaca.I quit drinking because I got fed up of getting drunk and being hungover.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
5. (colloquial) (drunk) (Mexico)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. plastered (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
¡Anoche sí que estabas bien cuete! ¿Cuántos tragos de tequila tomaste?You were plastered last night! How many tequila shots did you drink?
b. loaded (colloquial) (United States)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United States
Fue un concierto horrible. El guitarrista estaba cuete y arruinó varias canciones.It was a terrible show. The guitar player was loaded and ruined many songs.
c. pissed (colloquial) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Estoy muy cuete como para manejar. Tomemos un taxi.I'm too pissed to drive. Let's take a cab.
el cuate, la cuata, cuate(
kwah
-
teh
)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).
1. (friend) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. buddy (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Hoy no puedo salir contigo; ya tengo plan con mis cuates.I can't go out with you today; I'll hang out with my buddies.
b. pal (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Claro que te voy a ayudar, eres mi cuata del alma.Sure I'll help you out, you're my best pal.
c. mate (colloquial) (Australia) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Juan se fue a la playa con sus cuates.Juan went to the beach with his mates.
2. (colloquial) (form of address) (Latin America)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
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
Oye, cuate, ¿se puede saber qué te pasa hoy?Hey, buddy. What's wrong with you today?
b. pal (colloquial) (United States)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United States
Cuata, regresa. Se te olvidó tu celular.Hey, pal, come back. You forgot your cell.
c. mate (colloquial) (Australia) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Oye, cuate. ¿Me prestas algo de dinero?Hey, mate. Can you lend me some money?
3. (colloquial) (person) (Mexico)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. guy (colloquial) (masculine)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Ese cuate con cara de pocos amigos no me deja de ver.That angry-looking guy is staring at me.
b. girl (feminine)
Esa cuata se me hace conocida. Creo que es la hermana de Pedro.That girl looks familiar. I think she's Pedro's sister.
c. bloke (colloquial) (masculine) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
El cuate que te escribió ese horrible mensaje debería disculparse.That bloke who wrote you that horrible message should apologize.
a. twin
Mi esposo tiene una cuata, pero se llevan muy mal.My husband has a twin, but they don't get along.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. twin
Mi hermano cuate es rubio y alto, y yo soy moreno y bajo.My twin brother is blond and tall, and I'm dark-haired and short.
a. cool (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Eduardo es cuate, seguro nos hace el paro.Eduardo's cool. I'm sure he'll help us out.
b. okay (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
No te preocupes, Sara es cuata. No va a contarle a nadie nuestro secreto.Don't worry, Sara's okay. She's not going to tell anyone about our secret.
