carnal
nounInformal
A Mexican Spanish slang term. Browse all Mexican slang.
What it means
Brother — either a literal sibling or a friend close enough to count as one. Stronger than cuate or compa.
Literally: Of the flesh; related by blood.
Examples with translations
Ese es mi carnal, confío en él ciegamente.
That's my brother, I trust him completely.
¿Qué pasó, carnal? Hace años que no te veía.
How's it going, brother? I haven't seen you in years.
Where it comes from
From hermano carnal, 'blood brother', where carnal distinguishes full siblings from half or step relations. Dropping hermano left the modifier carrying the whole meaning — and the whole weight.
Other forms
- Similar terms:
- compa, cuate