colega
buddy / mate / colleague (informal)
Pronunciation
/koˈle.ɣa/
Cultural Note
Technically 'colleague,' but in Spain's street slang, 'colega' means 'buddy' or 'mate.' It's less intimate than 'amigo' (friend) but warmer than 'compañero' (companion/classmate). In the 90s and 2000s, it was peak Madrid slang — associated with the cheli subculture. 'Ey, colega' is a greeting you'd hear in working-class Spanish neighborhoods. It can also be used ironically when someone isn't being friendly: 'oye, colega, ¿qué haces?' (hey BUDDY, what are you doing?) with confrontational undertones. The word shifts register depending entirely on tone.
📝 Example Sentences
¡Eh, colega! ¿Vienes al partido esta tarde?
Hey, buddy! Are you coming to the match this afternoon?
Mis colegas del trabajo y yo vamos a tomar algo.
My work mates and I are going for drinks.