suegra
mother-in-law (cultural archetype)
Pronunciation
/ˈswe.ɣɾa/
Cultural Note
Every culture has mother-in-law jokes, but the Spanish 'suegra' is a cultural institution. In Spanish humor, the suegra is an all-powerful, ever-judging figure who thinks nobody is good enough for her child, whose cooking is always better than yours, and who has a key to your apartment that she uses without warning. 'Chistes de suegras' (mother-in-law jokes) are an entire genre of Spanish comedy. The stereotype is fading with younger generations, but the meme is eternal. 'Suegra' is also slang for a very difficult person in some regions.
📝 Example Sentences
Mi suegra viene a cenar y ya estoy nervioso.
My mother-in-law is coming for dinner and I'm already nervous.
Los chistes de suegras son un clásico del humor español.
Mother-in-law jokes are a classic of Spanish humor.