cholo: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, Slang
Quick answer
What does “cholo” mean?
A term originally referring to a person of mixed Indigenous and European descent in Latin America, particularly in the Andes region.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A term originally referring to a person of mixed Indigenous and European descent in Latin America, particularly in the Andes region.
In contemporary U.S. usage, it often refers to a young Mexican-American man associated with a particular urban subculture, style, and identity, sometimes linked to gang affiliation. The term is highly context-dependent and can be pejorative, neutral, or a self-identifier.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is virtually unknown in general British English. It is almost exclusively an American English term, specifically within the context of U.S. Latino communities and culture.
Connotations
In the UK: No established connotation. In the US: Complex connotations ranging from ethnic identity to gang association, heavily dependent on context and speaker.
Frequency
Extremely rare in UK English. Low-frequency in general US English, but higher frequency within specific U.S. regional and cultural contexts (e.g., Southwest, California).
Grammar
How to Use “cholo” in a Sentence
[be/look like] a cholo[refer to/call someone] a cholo[identify as] a choloVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cholo” in a Sentence
verb
American English
- He's not really from the neighborhood; he's just choloin' for attention. (slang, very informal)
adjective
American English
- She loves the cholo aesthetic with the oversized flannels and bandanas.
- That's a real cholo lowrider, with hydraulics and everything.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used only in specific sociological, anthropological, or cultural studies contexts with careful definition.
Everyday
Use with extreme caution; can cause serious offense. Primarily heard in specific regional and cultural settings in the U.S.
Technical
Not used in technical fields outside cultural studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cholo”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cholo”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cholo”
- Using it as a general term for any Latino person.
- Using it without understanding its potential offensiveness.
- Assuming it has a single, fixed meaning.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be, yes. When used by someone outside the specific community it often refers to, it is frequently perceived as derogatory or stereotyping. However, it can be used neutrally or positively within the in-group.
It originates from Spanish colonial America, derived from a Nahuatl (Aztec) word 'xolotl' meaning 'dog' or 'slave'. It was used in the caste system to denote a person of mixed Indigenous and European heritage.
Traditionally, the masculine form is 'cholo' and the feminine is 'chola'. However, in modern U.S. slang usage, 'cholo' is often used as a gender-neutral term for the subculture or style.
Unless you are part of the specific cultural context where it is used as a self-identifier, or are discussing it in an academic context with proper framing, it is generally advisable to avoid using this term due to its high potential for causing offense.
A term originally referring to a person of mixed Indigenous and European descent in Latin America, particularly in the Andes region.
Cholo is usually informal, slang in register.
Cholo: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃəʊləʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃoʊloʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Más cholo que el cholo (Spanglish: more cholo than the cholo itself - meaning extremely or stereotypically cholo)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'Cholo' and 'Lowrider' - both start with 'L' sounds and are associated with a specific Californian subculture.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDENTITY IS A UNIFORM (referring to the specific style of dress associated with the term).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'cholo' MOST likely to be found?