Che (interjection)


Che is an interjection commonly used in Argentina, Uruguay, Rio Grande do Sul and Valencia, signifying "hey!", "fellow", "guy". Che is mainly used as a vocative to call someone's attention, but it is often used as filler too. The Argentine revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara earned his nickname from his frequent use of the expression, which was perceived as foreign by his Cuban comrades.

Etymology

Che is an interjection of unclear origin. According to the Diccionario de la Lengua Española, it is comparable to the archaic ce used in Spain to ask for someone's attention or to make someone stop. Che is now predominantly used in Valencia, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay, with a similar meaning.
Due to its spread in South America, alternative etymologies have been suggested by analogy with indigenous words:
The first recorded use of che in Spanish America appears to be in Esteban Echeverría's short story The Slaughter Yard, published posthumously in 1871 but set in 1838-9 in the Rosas era.
Che, negra bruja, salí de aquí antes de que te pegue un tajo—exclamaba el carnicero.

Falkland Islands

In the Falkland Islands, che is commonly used by English speakers. It can also be written as chay. The word is sometimes used to describe someone who is a particularly traditional Falkland Islander.

Valencia

In Spain, che is widely used in Valencia and Terres de l'Ebre, Catalonia, as an interjection. With the spelling "xe" in Valencian, its main use is to express protest, surprise or exasperation. Che! is one of the symbols of the Valencian identity to the point where, for example the Valencia CF is often referred to with the nickname "Che Team".

Philippines

In the Philippines, a former Spanish colony, che is used as a means of dismissing another person or interrupting another person's speech, similar in context to the English expression "Shut up!".