I am not native in spanish or fluent by any means and although I have learned a great deal the past few years I still struggle especially with slang/understanding implications of words in different contexts and I’m wondering what the actual translation or intention would be behind what a coworker said about me today
I just worked my second day at a new job and one of my male coworkers was showing me how to do something and another male coworker walked up to him and said “te gusta la perrita o qué?!” the other guy just laughed uncomfortably and said “ella sabe español”
then the one who said that said “oh. perdón”
honestly I didn’t even process that they were talking about me at first til the other guy told him that I speak spanish (bc I’m not used to ppl talking about me in another language and actually understanding, this is the first time it’s happened! #progress) so I didn’t really react or think much of it just kinda kept doing what I was doing and honestly didn’t care beyond like mild annoyance that he would say some stupid shit thinking I wouldn’t understand
but the fact that he apologized makes me feel like I should be more offended lol? like was he apologizing for calling me perrita or just for talking about me assuming I wouldn’t understand
I know perra can mean bitch so I guess I’m just wondering if he was calling me a bitch or something
obviously not like an actual bitch (I hope) because I had already met and talked to him on multiple occasions and we got along very well but is it like an offensive way to refer to a woman or something, like in english how we’d say the same (not necessarily if someone is mean or you don’t like them, just as kind of a vulgar way to refer to someone casually)
and if so, is there a similar equivalent for males that I could use to give him shit back lol, I’m inclined to assume it would just be perrito or something but I know the intended meaning may not be the same for men
this is mexican spanish btw if that makes a difference!!
anyway thanks in advance for the help!
Comments
Someone with better Spanish could correct me but it’s “So, do you like the bi**h or what?” Followed by “she knows”. and then “pardon me”
I’m guessing they think you know Spanish too?
edited because my first response wasn’t helpful and was snarky… not the sarcasm I meant to use.
Im not Spanish, but I used Google translate, and it said, “Do you like the dog or what?”. In other words, it could mean bitch. I mean, that’s a female dog, right?
I’m mexican. Maybeee I’m wrong but “perrita” is more inclined to something sexual, kinky or dirty talk, is like “putita”. Sometimes in sex, people like to say “¿te gusta así, perrita?” That means “do you like that, slut?” and some people are into that.
Outside of sex it could be interpreted as an insult but he’s not calling you a whore or a bitch, is more like a sexist way of calling you a woman.
We don’t usually say perrita, that’s kinda like you said, an offensive way to refer to a woman. “Te gusta esa vieja?” is less offensive but still vulgar, and saying perrita is mooore vulgar. If a woman hears you that you’re calling women “perritas”, she would be mad at you or call you sexist (machismo).
Buuuut if it’s more like “perrilla” it could be just like a nickname. For example, if you win a prize or get a raise, and a mexican says: “ahh perrilla” it means something like “ohh, you’re a lucky bastard”.
if u wanna clap back just hit him with “perrito” loud enough next time lol make it awkward for him too
I would go to HR, he called you a whore
I had a friend from San Joaquin Valley who said that, among immigrant populations, it was pretty normal for everyone to get a foul nickname as a sort of friendship hazing. Might be worth it to ask them if they meant any offense. Either way they meant it, you certainly aren’t gonna hear that name again, if the man’s aware you know what he’s saying. Up to you if you want to escalate. I don’t think its worth it personally.
this is super offensive and you’re massively downplaying it. perrita is extremely sexist and degrading, don’t try to play his game because you’d basically would be okay with him calling you little whore. you need to escalate and make a formal complaint
He’s asking if he likes “that little bitch” (aka you). Time to make an appointment with HR.
So, what you think of this little bitch right here? ….Bro, she knows English. …oh, my bad…imagine that convo and do what you think is best.
“you like this little bitch/whore or what?” “She speaks Spanish”.
Probably equivalent to calling you a little bitch. Not good.
In most parts of Colombia, perrita can be just slang for “chick”. Yes, we also use perra as slut or bitch, but we also mis-use it in so many other ways. In your context, it sounds like he was asking if he was into you or if he thought you were hot – I would not think there’s any intended insult beyond the casual sexism of 2 dudes talking about their female coworker. Gross but not as gross?
he literally called you a whore, there’s no more nuance. he was being sexist.
given the context it’s 100% meant in a offensive manner, but I have to say that “perrito/a” in Chile is also said in a friendly way like “dude” or “bro”, “sis” or whatever. It’s not that common since it’s mostly said by upper class assholes “cuicos”.
Whenever you see him again just ask “Que pasa hijo de tu puta madre” he’ll get the message
What a disgusting coworker!!! He was only teasing the other guy, but that doesn’t mean he gets to disrespect you :/