{"id":4494,"date":"2022-06-09T17:49:52","date_gmt":"2022-06-09T17:49:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=4494"},"modified":"2022-06-09T17:49:52","modified_gmt":"2022-06-09T17:49:52","slug":"vato-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/vato-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"Vato \u2013 Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you looking for a word to describe someone that looks like a gang member? You could call them a \"vato<\/em>\" to bring people's attention to their shady looks and behavior. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.<\/p>\n

Meaning<\/h2>\n

The expression \"vato<\/em>\" refers to a person displaying shady or criminal behavior. It's a Spanish term originating from the language used to label gang members and informants. However, the modern meaning of vato is \"that guy<\/em>,\" \"pal<\/em>,\" or \"budd<\/em>y.\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

You can call someone you know a \"vato<\/em>\" or someone you've never met before \"vato<\/em>.\" The phrase usually has a negative connotation, and you wouldn't use it with friends unless you want to describe them as a \"little crazy<\/em>.\" You wouldn't use the word around your family, and calling your brother a \"vato<\/em>\" in front of your mother, especially if you have Spanish parents, would be disrespectful. It only suits slang use between friends.<\/p>\n

The phrase is more common in Latin-American communities on the west coast of the United States. The word \"vato<\/em>\" can have a vulgar meaning in replacement for the word \"bastard<\/em>\" in English. The phrase is common in Latin-American gangster rap lyrics, and it's used by rappers like B-Real from Cypress Hill and Snoop Dogg.<\/p>\n

Example Usage<\/h2>\n

\u201cLook at this vato right here, homes. He must think he owns this spot. Why is this fool tagging over my layup? Doesn\u2019t he know we\u2019re loco?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we need to teach this vato a lesson homes. You can\u2019t go around disrespecting people like that and think you\u2019ll get away with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, vato, what are you doing around here? Don\u2019t you know it\u2019s not safe for you to be out in this neighborhood at this time of night??<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you give me the time, vato? No, give me your watch; I\u2019m not interested in the time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis vato over here thought he was just going to walk away from all of this, homes. There\u2019s no way we\u2019re letting you out of our sight before the cops show up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Vato. What\u2019s the deal with your car, man? It looks like you need to get a new exhaust, homes. That one makes too much noise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, vato. If you want to give it a try, no problem, be my guest. Don\u2019t say I didn\u2019t tell you so when it all comes back to bite you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

Origin<\/h2>\n

The expression \u201cvato\u201d originates from the introduction of Spanish terms into American culture in the 1980s and 1990s. \u201cVato\u201d is a Spanish term originally referring to an informant or snitch. However, as the decades passed, the word changed its meaning to \u201cbuddy\u201d or \u201cpal.\u201d Vato can describe someone you know or someone you have never met.<\/p>\n

Vato started as a shortening of the Spanish word \u201cchivito,\u201d and there is a strong connection between the word and gang life. Many people still use \u201cvato\u201d to refer to someone that looks like they are a criminal or someone conducting a criminal or gang-related activity.<\/p>\n