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"Qué pasa" is a form of "qué pasa", a phrase which is often translated as "what's going on". "Tío" is a noun which is often translated as "uncle". Learn more about the difference between "tío" and "qué pasa" below.
el tío(
tee
-
oh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (relative)
a. uncle
Mi tío se vistió de Papá Noel para la fiesta navideña.My uncle dressed up as Santa Claus for the Christmas party.
2. (colloquial) (male) (Spain)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Spain
a. guy (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
¿Viste al tío pidiendo limosna con traje de Armani? ¡Qué locura!Did you see the guy begging in the Armani suit? Madness!
b. dude (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, Paco, hay un tío en la puerta que dice ser tu hermano.Hey, Paco, there's a dude at the door claiming to be your brother.
c. bloke (colloquial) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Hay un tío en el mercado de pescado que vende un bacalao riquísimo.There's a bloke at the fish market who sells a delicious cod.
3. (colloquial) (form of address) (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).
¡Oye, tío! No le hables así a mi esposa.Hey, pal! Don't talk to my wife like that.
b. dude (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, tío! Se te cayó la cartera.Hey, dude! You dropped your billfold.
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
¡Mira, tío! Ya te pagué. O me das la mercancía o llamaré a la poli.Look, mate! I already paid you. Either you give me the merchandise, or I'll call the cops.
los tíos
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
a. aunt and uncle (couple)
A Adela la criaron sus tíos porque se quedó huérfana a edad muy temprana.Adela was raised by her aunt and uncle because she was orphaned at an early age.
b. uncle and aunt (couple)
Voy a pasarme el verano a la casa de mis tíos.I'm going to spend the summer at my uncle and aunt's house.
5. (masculine or mixed gender) (used to refer to several relatives)
A word or phrase used to refer to a group including masculine words or both masculine and feminine words (e.g., bienvenidos).
a. aunts and uncles (plural) (mixed gender)
A word or phrase that is plural (e.g., los libros).
Todos los tíos de Ramona fueron a su fiesta de cumpleaños.All of Ramona's aunts and uncles went to her birthday party.
b. uncles and aunts (plural) (mixed gender)
A word or phrase that is plural (e.g., los libros).
Tengo un montón de tíos y primos.I have a ton of uncles and aunts and cousins.
c. uncles (masculine) (plural)
A word or phrase that is masculine (e.g., el libro).
A word or phrase that is plural (e.g., los libros).
¿Quiénes son esos tres ahí? - Son mis tíos por parte de madre.Who are those three there? - They're my uncles on my mom's side.
qué pasa(
keh
pah
-
sah
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
b. what's happening
¿Qué pasa, cariño? Oí un ruido fuerte.What's happening, dear? I heard a loud noise.
e. what's up (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
¿Qué pasa, niños? ¿Están bien?What's up, kids? Are you OK?
a. what's going on
You look so sad, dear. Tell me what's going on.Te veo muy triste, amor. Dime qué pasa.
c. what the matter is
No entiendo qué pasa, Enrique. ¿Por qué actúas como si me odiaras?I don't get what the matter is, Enrique. Why do you act like you hate me?
d. what's wrong
Dime qué pasa, hija. Quisiera poder ayudarte.Tell me what's wrong, honey. I'd like to be able to help you.
e. what's up (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
No sé qué pasa, Diego, pero recuerda que puedes contar conmigo.I don't know what's up, Diego, but remember that you can count on me.
a. what happens
Sabes qué pasa cuando mi compañero de cuarto se enoja.You know what happens when my roommate gets angry.
