10 Polite Alternatives to the Word Pendejo

Huynh NguyenOctober 22, 2022

Benefits of being a Double Language Speaker

Speaking two languages is a huge gift, and is something certainly worth pursuing. Studies show that roughly a little over 20% of Americans are bilingual. Bilingualism is truly so helpful in forming connections with others around us. It can be a great aid in social and work settings. Many second language speakers are prioritized in job hiring processes as they can prove to be invaluable when it comes to reaching more people effectively in customer service opportunities. With so many jobs being tech and service-based, bilingualism has proven to be a skill that employers are after.

Challenges with Nuance that comes with being a Bilingual Speaker

That being said, being a dual language speaker is not without its challenges. Far too often in the English or Spanish language, we utilize words that we do not fully understand the meaning of. This happens quite often when dealing with double language speakers. Often times when you speak two languages, there is one that you know better than the other. With knowing the language better comes understanding slang and nuance that might be lost on someone who only has a surface-level understanding of the language. This can be dangerous in settings when the bilingual speaker is trying to bond or joke around with a native speaker of the language, as they might actually misinterpret something or say something offensive that they do not mean. This is why the art of language and the study of language should not be lost on anyone. If you are a native speaker of a language, it becomes far easier to understand humor and communicative styles. If you are not a native speaker, but you’re learning the language, diving into understanding layers of implications and nuance is absolutely crucial to not blurring the lines of communication.

The Meaning of the Term Pendejo

It is also important to understand words and phrases in other languages that a native speaker might be able to say to a friend in a joking way but may be inappropriate if you say it. There are slang words in different languages that may be only appropriate when said in the context of a joke or amongst close friends. An example of this is the Spanish word pendejo. A second language speaker might hear this word thrown around in the Spanish language, and not have a full understanding of what it means as it is a slang term and nickname often thrown about amongst joking companions. Initially, when you hear the word pendejo used in conversation, you might think it just translates to “stupid person” or “dunce.” But in studying the pendejo meaning, you may come to realize that it has a worse meaning than that.

The meaning of the word pendejo actually translates to the term pubic hair. According to Dictionary and Urban Dictionary, the word pendejo is used as a Spanish slang term for asshole or idiot. This word is highly offensive in professional or formal settings and may get you in trouble as a second language speaker who hears it casually thrown around in more casual settings. The word pendejo should be reserved to casual usage settings in which the recipient of the joke or insult understands that the term is being used in a playful way.

Some people might feel comfortable using this slang term in contexts they feel more comfortable in and with people they know well. Still, others might also choose to forego this term altogether and opt for another one instead simply to avoid the chances of misinterpretation. If you fall in the second category, we fully understand. It can be hard to avoid slang in language, but sometimes as a second language speaker, it is the wiser choice if you don’t fully understand the nuance and implication of the word you are speaking. Luckily, we’ve done some research and sought to find some alternatives to the pendejo meaning that may be a more polite and playful choice when joking with coworkers or friends.