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"Mate" is a form of "mate", a noun which is often translated as "la pareja". "You" is a pronoun which is often translated as "tú". Learn more about the difference between "mate" and "you" below.
mate(
meyt
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
a. la pareja (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
I read an article called, "What women look for in their perfect mate."Leí un artículo titulado "Lo que buscan las mujeres en su pareja perfecta".
b. el compañero (M), la compañera (F)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Katie and her mate usually go to bed early.Katie y su compañero normalmente se acuestan temprano.
a. el macho (M) (masculine)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The black widow spider kills her mate after mating.La viuda negra mata al macho después de aparearse.
b. la hembra (F) (feminine)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The male tries to attract his mate with a beautiful dance.El macho intenta atraer a la hembra con una bonita danza.
a. el compañero (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Has anyone seen the mate for this sock? - Did you look in the dryer?¿Alguien ha visto el compañero de este calcetín? - ¿Chequeaste en la secadora?
4. (nautical)
a. el oficial (M), la oficial (F)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Who's the ship's first mate?¿Quién es el primer oficial de este barco?
5. (chess)
a. el jaque mate (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Getting a mate in chess can take several hours.Conseguir un jaque mate en ajedrez puede llevar varias horas.
6. (colloquial) (friend) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
a. el amigo (M), la amiga (F)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
My sister is my best mate.Mi hermana es mi mejor amiga.
b. el colega (M), la colega (F)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
I'm going out with my mates from the club tonight.Voy a salir con mis colegas del club esta noche.
c. el cuate (M), la cuata (F) (colloquial) (Guatemala) (Honduras) (Mexico)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Guatemala
Regionalism used in Honduras
Regionalism used in Mexico
My fishing mates are the best in the world.Mis cuates de pesca son los mejores del mundo.
d. el pana (M), la pana (F) (colloquial) (Andes) (Caribbean) (Panama)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the Caribbean: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico
Regionalism used in Panama
Charles and I have been mates since secondary school.Charles y yo somos panas desde la secundaria.
a. el compañero (M), la compañera (F)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
I get along with all my mates at school.Suelo llevarme bien con todos mis compañeros en el colegio.
b. el colega (M), la colega (F)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Chuck and his mates are meeting at the pub after work today.Chuck y sus colegas van a encontrarse en el pub después del trabajo hoy.
8. (colloquial) (form of address) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
a. hermano (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Hey, mate, can you hand me a beer, please?Oye, hermano, ¿me pasas una cerveza, por favor?
b. el tío (M) (colloquial) (Spain)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Spain
Mate, do me a favour and shut the door.Tío, hazme un favor y cierra la puerta.
c. el macho (M) (colloquial) (Spain)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Spain
Hiya, mate! Is that a new car you've got?¡Qué tal, macho! ¿Es un coche nuevo que traes ahí?
d. el mano (M) (colloquial) (Latin America)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
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.
What's up? - What's up, mate. Fancy a pint?¿Qué hubo? - ¿Qué hubo, mano? ¿Quieres una chela?
e. el che (M) (colloquial) (River Plate)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Morning, mate! Ready for some fishing?¡Buen día, che! ¿Listo para pescar?
f. el gallo (M) (colloquial) (Chile)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Chile
Hey, mate! Happy birthday!¡Wena, gallo! ¡Feliz cumpleaños!
g. el amigo (M) (stranger)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Hi, mate! Are you the new postman?¡Qué tal, amigo! ¿Eres el nuevo cartero?
h. el jefe (M) (stranger)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Need a hand there, mate?¿Le ayudo, jefe?
i. el maestro (M) (stranger) (Latin America)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
The queue starts over there mate.La fila comienza por allá, maestro.
j. el pana (M) (colloquial) (Andes) (Caribbean) (Panama)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the Caribbean: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico
Regionalism used in Panama
Do you have a cigarette, mate?¿Tienes un cigarrillo, pana?
a. el ayudante (M), la ayudante (F)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
She has a three-month contract as a plumber's mate.Tiene un contrato de tres meses como ayudante de fontanero.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. aparear
I'm looking for a Persian male to mate my cat.Estoy buscando un macho persa para aparear a mi gata.
11. (chess)
a. dar jaque mate
I'm able to mate my opponent in less than ten moves.Estoy a punto de dar jaque mate a mi adversario en menos de diez jugadas.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. aparearse
All the kids saw the lion and the lioness mating in the zoo.Todos los niños vieron al león y la leona aparearse en el zoo.
you(
yu
)A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
a. tú (informal) (singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
You are so tall, Sam.Tú eres bien alto, Sam.
b. usted (formal) (singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
These pants will suit you, sir, because you are short.Estos pantalones le quedarán bien, señor, porque usted es bajo.
c. vos (informal) (singular) (Latin America)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
You've been to New York, haven't you?Vos estuviste en Nueva York, ¿verdad?
a. te (informal) (singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
I'll see you there.Te veré allí.
b. le (formal) (singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
I'll tell you where to go.Le diré a dónde ir.
c. lo (formal) (masculine) (singular) (Spain)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
A word or phrase that is masculine (e.g., el libro).
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
Regionalism used in Spain
I think I saw you in the park yesterday.Creo que lo vi en el parque ayer.
d. la (feminine) (formal) (singular) (Spain)
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la manzana).
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
Regionalism used in Spain
I called you yesterday.La llamé ayer.
e. ti (informal) (singular) (after a preposition)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
I'll do it for you.Lo haré por ti.
f. usted (formal) (singular) (after a preposition)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
Do you like to play basketball?¿A usted le gusta jugar al baloncesto?
a. ustedes (plural) (Latin America)
A word or phrase that is plural (e.g., los libros).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
You two are funny.Ustedes dos son chistosos.
b. vosotros (masculine or mixed gender) (plural) (Spain)
A word or phrase used to refer to a group including masculine words or both masculine and feminine words (e.g., bienvenidos).
A word or phrase that is plural (e.g., los libros).
Regionalism used in Spain
Are you hungry, guys?¿Vosotros tenéis hambre, chicos?
c. vosotras (feminine) (plural) (Spain)
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la manzana).
A word or phrase that is plural (e.g., los libros).
Regionalism used in Spain
You are all very beautiful.Vosotras sois todas muy hermosas.
a. les (plural) (Latin America)
A word or phrase that is plural (e.g., los libros).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
I am going to buy you lunch.Voy a comprarles el almuerzo.
b. os (informal) (plural) (Spain)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).
A word or phrase that is plural (e.g., los libros).
Regionalism used in Spain
What do you think?¿Qué os parece?
c. les (formal) (plural) (Spain)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
A word or phrase that is plural (e.g., los libros).
Regionalism used in Spain
I'll let you know the meeting date by Friday.Les comunicaré la fecha de la reunión antes del viernes.
d. ustedes (plural) (after a preposition) (Latin America)
A word or phrase that is plural (e.g., los libros).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
I'm going with you.Voy con ustedes.
e. vosotros (informal) (plural) (after a preposition) (Spain)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).
A word or phrase that is plural (e.g., los libros).
Regionalism used in Spain
Where are the keys? - I gave them to you.Where are the keys? - I gave them to you.
f. vosotras (informal) (plural) (after a preposition) (Spain)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).
A word or phrase that is plural (e.g., los libros).
Regionalism used in Spain
Do you like iced coffee?¿A vosotras os gusta el café con hielo?
5. (impersonal)
