Patojo
[ guatemalan slang ]
noun
Definition
Kid, child, young person. It can be used in masculine (patojo) or feminine (patoja) forms.
Examples
- "That patojo is very smart"
- "When I was a patojo, I used to play in the street"
- "The patojos are playing soccer in the park"
More information
Definition
“Patojo” or “patoja” is an affectionate term used in Guatemala to refer to children, teenagers, or young people in general. It’s similar to “kid” or “youngster” in English, but carries a warmer, more endearing connotation.
Usage
The term can be used in various contexts:
- For children: “Los patojos están jugando” (The kids are playing)
- For teenagers: “Cuando era patojo…” (When I was a teenager…)
- Affectionately: “¡Qué patojo más lindo!” (What a cute kid!)
- Informally: Between friends to refer to someone younger
Grammatical variations
- Patojo: Masculine singular
- Patoja: Feminine singular
- Patojos: Masculine plural
- Patojas: Feminine plural
Etymology
The origin of the word is uncertain, but it’s believed to come from the indigenous languages of Guatemala. Some theories suggest it derives from words related to “small” or “young” in Mayan languages.
Cultural context
This is one of the most characteristic words of Guatemalan Spanish and is used daily by people of all ages and social classes. It’s a term that reflects the warmth and affection with which Guatemalans refer to the younger generations.