Cabrón
Literally a billy goat — in Mexico a jerk, a bastard, or, among friends, a respectful "legend". Tone is everything.
Related lesson: Mexican Spanish — A Survival Guide.
Hear it in context
Ese cabrón me dejó plantado otra vez.
That jerk stood me up again.
¡Qué cabrón eres, nos ganaste a todos!
You're unbelievable, you beat all of us!
Está cabrón el examen de mañana.
Tomorrow's exam is brutal.
What It Actually Means
Cabrón started as “billy goat” (from cabra, goat) and became one of the most flexible swear words in Spanish. In Mexico it can name a bastard, a tough person who is good at something, or a hard thing. Among friends ¡qué cabrón! often means “that was impressive”.
The Family
- Cabrona — the feminine form; as an insult it is harsher, as praise it means “a boss”.
- Cabronazo — bigger, either way.
- Cabrear — to annoy; see cabrear for the Spain side.
Common Pitfall
It is not safe with strangers, at work or with older relatives. Between close friends the praise reading is common, but if you cannot read the tone, do not use it. Meanings also move between countries, so listen to locals before you try it outside Mexico.