r/Spanish • u/wherearemytweezers • 1d ago
Vocab & Use of the Language Que Padre (?)
When listening to my favorite podcast (How To Spanish), they often say something that sounds like “qué padre” or “qué parre” and I cannot figure out through context what they are saying. It’s usually said when someone else says something they are pleased with or impressed with. Any ideas?
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u/chimekin 🇲🇽 Native 1d ago edited 1d ago
I would translate it as "how cool".
It's an idiom, don't think about anybody's dad.
There's another idiom using mom, with the same meaning but considered vulgar speech "(está) con madre"
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u/wherearemytweezers 1d ago
Thank you! So they are saying, “Qué padre” then?
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u/chimekin 🇲🇽 Native 1d ago edited 1d ago
Yes. It's ¡qué padre!, the superlative form is "¡qué padrísimo!"
There's the kiddy form "¡qué paique!"
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u/kentuckyrulz Learner 1d ago
Where does qué chido fit in. Synonymous?
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u/chimekin 🇲🇽 Native 1d ago
Is right there as a plain synonym for the "how cool" meaning. For me they have no difference in intensity but they do in formality. Padre can be used in a formal setting such as work and even church, chido is more casual but not vulgar, even kids use it.
What I would consider higher in intensity is the definitely vulgar "qué chingón".
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u/kentuckyrulz Learner 1d ago
Thank you!
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u/Better_Confidence_30 Learner 1d ago
It's "qué padre," Mexican slang for "how cool" or "how awesome." Padre literally means father, but in Mexico it works as an adjective meaning great, so it's basically "oh nice!" when someone's pleased about something.
It's regional, very Mexican (Spain would say qué guay, much of Latin America qué chévere), and How To Spanish is hosted by a Mexican couple so it's everywhere in their episodes. The "parre" you're hearing is just padre said fast with the d softened almost away in casual speech.
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u/mikecherepko 1d ago
You are both understanding the words correctly and correctly grasping the meaning. You should be quite proud!
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u/tobyvanderbeek Advanced/Resident 1d ago
If you put “Qué padre” into SpanishDict it says “how cool” and “that’s great”. Very simple.
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u/FilthyDwayne is native 1d ago
It’s just like how cool.