noun
Street Slang
vato
· noun · la
Caló for dude or guy — the OG East LA word for a man.
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Definitions
1
A dude, a guy, a man. Neutral by default — the qualifier does the work. A 'vato firme' is a solid dude; a 'vato loco' is a crazy one you don't cross.
“He's a good vato, always pulls up when you need him.”
by community
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2
Specifically a Chicano gang-affiliated or street-hardened guy, when paired with 'loco' or used in that context.
“Couple of vatos from the neighborhood were posted up out front.”
by community
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vato In A Sentence
He's a good vato, always pulls up when you need him.
Couple of vatos from the neighborhood were posted up out front.
Origin & Usage
Caló, possibly from Spanish 'chivato' (informant) shortened, or related to 'bato'. Used since the Pachuco era of the 1940s. The phrase 'vato loco' (crazy dude) became a cornerstone of Chicano identity through lowrider culture, Chicano rap and films.
Variants
bato
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