Are You A Gabacho, Gringo, Or Güero? [Spanish Slang Guide]

Whether you're traveling through Latin America, studying abroad in Spain, or just watching Spanish telenovelas, you're bound to hear locals referring to foreigners in ways that go beyond the standard "extranjero."

This guide will answer the most common reddit questions related to Spanish slang terms for tourists and foreigners. We’ll break down their meanings, where they’re used, and how tone and context shape whether they come off as friendly, neutral, or offensive. Along the way, you’ll also pick up some grammar points to help you use and recognize these words like a local. Let's begin!

What Do Spanish Speakers Call Tourists?

Gringo

Gringo is probably the most recognized Spanish slang term for foreigners, especially those from the United States. Most scholars agree that it likely originated from the Spanish word "griego" (Greek), used in the expression "está hablando griego" when someone spoke incomprehensibly. In most cases, gringo is simply descriptive rather than offensive, and many expatriates freely refer to themselves as gringos.

The Spanish slang "gringo" can also be used to describe things. You might hear someone say "McDonald's es un restaurante gringo" or point you out as "el gringo" at a local café. While context matters, this term is used throughout Latin America and has become so mainstream that it's lost most of its edge.

Grammatically, the term follows standard Spanish gender and number rules:

• Gringo (male), Gringa (female)
• Gringos (male or mixed group), Gringas (female group)

You’ll often hear it in everyday phrases like:

• “¿Eres gringo?” – “Are you American?”
• “Una gringa me preguntó cómo llegar.” – “A foreign woman asked me for directions.”

Gabacho

Originally used in Spain as a derogatory term for French people, gabacho comes from the Occitan word "gavach," meaning "someone who speaks badly". In Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador, gabacho is a deprecatory reference for someone from the U.S.

This isn't a term you'll want to use lightly or call yourself. In Mexico, "el gabacho" can even refer to the United States itself, as in "Voy para el gabacho" (I'm going to the U.S.). If you hear this one directed your way, the context and tone will tell you everything you need to know about the speaker's feelings.

Gabacho also has gendered forms:

• Gabacho / Gabacha
• Gabachos / Gabachas

Unlike "gringo," gabacho carries stronger negative connotations, especially in Mexico. It may be used jokingly by close friends, but it can also be hostile in certain contexts. Below are some example sentences that may help:

• “Se fue al gabacho” – “He went to the U.S.” (used in rural Mexico)
• “No seas tan gabacho” – “Don’t act so American/foreign” (can be offensive)

Güero

This Mexican term comes from "huero" meaning "empty," originally referring to an egg that didn't hatch, and evolved to describe light-skinned or blonde people. There's no political connotation to güero, and Mexicans even use it to describe fair-haired compatriots. It's often used as a term of endearment, and Mexicans sometimes playfully call even dark-skinned friends "güero".

What makes güero special is its warmth. For instance, you'll hear market vendors call out "¡Oye, güero!" to get your attention, regardless of whether you're actually blonde. It's more about friendliness than description.

Just like other Spanish words, this slang also has gendered and plural forms:

• Güero / Güera
• Güeros / Güeras

Guiri

Used exclusively in Spain, guiri typically describes fair-skinned tourists, especially British or German visitors, though it can apply to any obviously foreign tourist. Just note that this Spanish slang for tourists can both come as genuinely affectionate or cutting when used to criticize tourist behavior.

Unlike the others, guiri is gender-neutral in form, though it can take gendered articles:

• El guiri / La guiri
• Los guiris / Las guiris

While mostly harmless, it can take on a mocking edge when paired with stereotypical tourist behaviors (e.g., loud talking, poor Spanish, socks with sandals).

• “Barcelona está llena de guiris en verano.” – “Barcelona is full of tourists in summer.”
• “Ese guiri no sabe cruzar la calle.” – “That tourist can’t even cross the street right.”

Other Popular Spanish Terms For Tourists

Spanish-speaking countries have developed an entire vocabulary spectrum for describing outsiders, ranging from formal to slang to downright creative. Here are some other terms worth knowing:

• Afuereño/a gets used across Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic to mean "outsider" or someone from elsewhere.
• Agringado/a describes someone who's adopted gringo-like habits or mannerisms—perfect for describing that friend who came back from studying abroad acting completely different.
• Alógeno/a is the formal, academic way to say "foreign," while extranjero/a remains the standard, neutral term you'll find in official documents and polite conversation.
• Chele – Common in El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua to describe light-skinned people, whether locals or tourists.
• Mono/a – Used in Colombia, particularly for blondes or fair-skinned people.
• Catire/a – Common in Venezuela, similar in meaning to güero, referring to blond or fair individuals.
• Rubio/a – While technically just “blonde,” in Argentina and some Southern Cone countries it often casually refers to light-skinned foreigners.
• Yuma – In Cuba, this slang term refers specifically to Americans or foreigners in general, believed to originate from old American war films featuring characters from "the Yuma" (slang for the U.S.).

The richness of this vocabulary shows how much thought Spanish speakers put into categorizing different types of foreignness.

How Many Spanish-Speaking Countries Are There?

Spanish is an official language of 21 countries, but there are more Spanish-speaking countries than that! Find out where & why they speak Spanish.

The blog for language lovers | Lingopie.comDavid Datny

Spanish Grammar Points To Consider

If you're new to Spanish, one of the first things you'll notice is that many words change depending on who you're talking about—specifically their gender (male or female) and number (one person or more). This is especially true for slang terms used to describe people, like gringo, güero, and gabacho.

1. Gender: Masculine vs. Feminine

Most Spanish nouns and adjectives end in -o for masculine and -a for feminine.

• A man from the U.S.? ➝ Gringo
• A woman from the U.S.? ➝ Gringa
• A light-skinned guy? ➝ Güero
• A blonde woman? ➝ Güera

2. Number: Singular vs. Plural

When you're talking about more than one person, you also change the ending to show plurality:

• A group of American men or a mixed group: gringos
• A group of American women: gringas
• Two blonde guys: güeros
• Two blonde women: güeras

This pattern applies to many slang words:

3. What About “Guiri”?

The word guiri is a little different. It's gender-neutral in spelling, so it doesn't change form like the others. But you still match the article or pronoun to the person’s gender:

• El guiri (male tourist)
• La guiri (female tourist)
• Los guiris (group of tourists)
• Las guiris (group of female tourists)

Your Cultural Immersion Starts Here

So, are you a gabacho, gringo, guiri, or güero? The answer depends on where you are, who's asking, and how you're behaving. But more importantly, understanding these distinctions shows you're ready to engage with Spanish culture beyond the tourist surface.

Want to hear these terms used naturally and pick up the cultural context that makes them meaningful? Spanish shows and movies on Lingopie let you experience authentic conversations where this slang actually lives. With advanced language-learning features, Lingopie stands as the best tool to learn Spanish through media you already love: Hit TV shows and movies!

Start watching Spanish today by signing up for a FREE 7-day trial below!

FAQ

What does "gringo" mean, and is it offensive?

"Gringo" is a term commonly used in Latin America to refer to foreigners, especially English-speaking ones. While it can be neutral or even affectionate in some contexts, it may carry negative connotations depending on tone and intent.

How is "guiri" used in Spain?

In Spain, "guiri" refers to foreign tourists, particularly those from Northern Europe. It's often used informally and can be either neutral or slightly mocking, depending on the situation.

Are there regional variations of these terms?

Yes, different Spanish-speaking countries have their own slang for tourists. For example, "güero" in Mexico refers to a fair-skinned person, while "gabacho" in Mexico and Central America can refer to Americans, sometimes pejoratively.

Can these terms apply to locals as well?

Some terms like "güero" can describe local individuals with certain physical traits, not just tourists. Context is key to understanding the intended meaning.

How can I use this knowledge respectfully?

Being aware of these terms helps in understanding local conversations and avoiding unintentional offense. It's advisable to use them cautiously and observe how locals use them before incorporating them into your vocabulary.