pana
buddy / pal / bro (Venezuela, Caribbean)
Pronunciation
/ˈpa.na/
Cultural Note
'Pana' is the Venezuelan and Caribbean Spanish way to say 'friend' or 'buddy.' It's warm, casual, and implies genuine camaraderie — not just any acquaintance, but someone you actually like. 'Mi pana' is like 'my dude' with heart. With the Venezuelan diaspora spreading across Latin America since 2015, 'pana' has traveled far beyond its Caribbean home and is now recognized (if not actively used) across the Spanish-speaking world. It's become almost a cultural marker of Venezuelan identity abroad.
📝 Example Sentences
¡Ey, pana! ¿Cómo estás? Hace tiempo que no te veo.
Hey, buddy! How are you? I haven't seen you in a while.
Ese es mi pana del alma, nos conocemos desde niños.
That's my best buddy, we've known each other since childhood.