Pronunciation
A word that can mean idiot or work as an affectionate address among close friends.
Meaning and local context
Che, boludo, llegamos tarde. This expression belongs to informal local conversation and may carry different force depending on age, relationship, neighbourhood, and tone.
Example in conversation
Mate, we are late.
It can be insulting; outsiders should use it cautiously.
Common misunderstanding
Literal translation alone may miss the social meaning. Listen to the surrounding sentence and the speaker’s tone before copying it.
Use with care
How to remember it
Connect the expression with the example above, then compare it with the neutral wording rather than treating it as a universal synonym.
Explore more Buenos Aires expressions or return to the global dictionary.
Where you may hear it
You are most likely to encounter this expression in relaxed conversation, social media, local entertainment, neighbourhood talk, or messages between people who already share the regional context. Its meaning can shift with tone, age, familiarity, and the situation, so hearing several natural examples is more reliable than copying a single translation.
A clearer neutral alternative
When speaking with someone unfamiliar with the expression, use the plain-language interpretation shown above. That keeps the intended meaning clear without pretending the local term works identically in every country, generation, or social group.