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híjole

EE-hoh-lehinterjectionInformal

A Mexican Spanish slang term. Browse all Mexican slang.

What it means

  1. Wow; geez; oh dear. Surprise, dismay or reluctant sympathy — and very often the sound of someone about to tell you no.

Examples with translations

  • Híjole, no me di cuenta de la hora.

    Oh no, I didn't notice the time.

  • —¿Me lo puedes tener listo para mañana? —Híjole…

    'Can you have it ready for tomorrow?' 'Ohh…'

    Note: A soft refusal. Recognising this saves a lot of confusion.

Where it comes from

A euphemistic reshaping of hijo de… ('son of a…'), cut off before the offending noun and given the Mexican -le ending. Completely inoffensive as a result.

Other forms

Similar terms:
órale, chale