Caution: Use At Your Own Risk
Please note that this is a list with different languages and countries. Some words may be used universally across different countries that speak the same languages, some might differ from region to region.
Algeria – “Kho”
Argentina – “Chabon” , “Flaco” (Skinny)
Austria – “Oida”
Azeri – “Qardaş”
Britain – “Mate”
Chile – “Weon”
Colombia – “Parcero”, “Man”
Costa Rica – “Mae”
Dutch – “Gast” (Guest)
Finnish – “Jätkä”
French – “Mec”
Hindi – “यार – हिंदी” [yaar]
Iceland – “Gaur”
Iran – “Dash”, “Dadash”
Italy – “Amico”, “Bello”, “Fra”
Lithuania – “Biče”
Maltese – “Xbin” [shbeen]
Mexico – “Wey”, “Vato”, “Loco” (Crazy), “Plebe”
Norwegian – “Kar” or “Fyr”
Panama – “Man”
Poland – “Gość” (Guest)
Portuguese – “Cara”, “Velho”, “Parceiro”, “Vei”, “Mano”
Punjabi – “Sangi”
Russia – “чувак”, “братан”
Serbia – “Brate”
Spain – “Tio” (Uncle)
Tamil – “Machan”
Turkish – “Ahbap”, “Dostum”
Ukrain – “чувак”
United States of America – “Bro”, “Dude”, “Homie”
Urdu – “Dost”
Vietnam – ” Bạn”
[pronunciation]
(literal translation)
9 Comments
You should add Venezuela! We say Chamo/a
In Polish we say also “koleś”, “facet”, “stary”, “kumpel”.
Normally, in most parts of Mexico we don’t use “vato” and “loco” and “plebe” is a very derogatory term referring to a disadvantaged economic situation. Tho, we use “carnal” and sometimes “cabrón” with close male friends.
In Venezuela we say “Pana”
Romanian: frate (translates to brother); pronounced: frah-teh (fra like in fragile, te like in telekinesis)
In Colombia “man” is used referring to someone as “guy” …. e.g.: “ese man es bien bacano” = “that guy is pretty cool”.
More correct expressions of “dude” would be:
“Huevon”
“Marica” – que hubo marica, e.g.
“Home/hombre”
“Parce/parcero”
“Veci/vecino”
In Romanian it’s “omule”
I think the closest word in Bulgarian would be пич (pronounced like pitch)
In French : “gros”, “mon gars”, “poteau”, “fraté” etc.
“Mec” hasn’t really an affective connotation…