Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun slang Hispanic youth; guy; dude

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Spanish vato, ultimately from Spanish chivato. Term is mostly used by people from northwest Mexico (Sinaloa, Sonora, Chihuahua, Baja California).

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Examples

  • When I was in high school class of '98, I remember most Avenues members being light-skinned Chicano types, none of which spoke an ounce of Spanish, save for Chicano slang like "vato" and "barrio."

    Local "Ethnic Cleansing" Verdict: GUILTY 2006

  • It was the secret fantasy of every "vato" living in or out of the "pachucada" to put on the zoot suit and play the myth.

    question about vulgar language 2003

  • No, not with her blonde hair and blue eyes but George Lopez, look out vato!

    Natl. Poll: More favor than oppose Arizona immigration law 2010

  • Yet each time they include me in the conversation, they refer to me as vato or loco or ese, terms used among Mexican Americans or their acculturated counterparts up and down California, both North and Baja.

    Down and Delirious in Mexico City Daniel Hernandez 2011

  • Yet each time they include me in the conversation, they refer to me as vato or loco or ese, terms used among Mexican Americans or their acculturated counterparts up and down California, both North and Baja.

    Down and Delirious in Mexico City Daniel Hernandez 2011

  • Yet each time they include me in the conversation, they refer to me as vato or loco or ese, terms used among Mexican Americans or their acculturated counterparts up and down California, both North and Baja.

    Down and Delirious in Mexico City Daniel Hernandez 2011

  • October 26th, 2009 at 7: 47 pm andale vato gazomaz

    Advanced English Grammar Lesson for ESL – Passive Voice « Esl Videos « Videos « Literacy News 2009

  • By now I hear the George Lopez imitators saying as they go back to their internet shopping, "Geez vato, why you cryin'?"

    Vito de la Cruz: The Bill of Rights Vito de la Cruz 2011

  • And so you listen to the first vato that comes along and whispers sweet nothings in your ear.

    Drama Queens ReShonda Tate Billingsley 2010

  • Those who are actually “jumped in” to neighborhoods perform reconnaissance, stir things up, and often shame the males into fighting—“Are you going to let that vato just walk over there, across the street and NOT do anything about it?”

    Tattoos on the Heart Gregory Boyle 2010

Comments

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  • Etymology:

    From Spanish vato, ultimately from Spanish chivato. Term is mostly used by people from northwest Mexico (Sinaloa, Sonora, Chihuahua, Baja California).

    Noun: vato (plural vatos)

    (Chicano, slang) Hispanic youth; guy; dude

    http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/vato

    March 10, 2013