Is gringo a racist word?

Question

What is it's exact use in Spanish. Do only (South and Central) Americans use this word or do Europeen Spanarids use it as well. Because I never heard this word in Europe.

What are the other words for Foreigners in Spanish.

Answer 1

They usually tell me thank you gringo when I help them out of a jam or something, I always took it as meaning friend.

Answer 2

Back in high school, my teacher explained it to me, but I can't remember all of it. The term refers to someone caucasian, but it actually originated years ago when American soldiers who wore green uniforms would come around (I'm guessing during some type of war?) and Spanish people wanted to escape and 'go'....when you see green, you go....green-go and then it just became gringo....

(I KNOW that I probably screwed that story all up, I know that some of its wrong, but the main thing is that the word gringo came from green and go because of a green uniform....the rest you may have to research a little more....)

Answer 3

the word "gringo" came about during the hunt for Poncho Villa,at the turn of the century after the invasion on Brownsville New Mexico.the American army invaded Mexico(with permission) in search of Poncho Villa,the term gringo was the phrase used by the peasents at the US army for the scarfs/bandanas they wore on their uniform"green go" as in leave,it wasnt until later that it became a derogatory slander

Answer 4

The potential is there for racist application of any word that connotes race.

However, let me say, I know Hispanic people closely, and I refer to myself as a gringo to them from time to time.... example: they offer me a spicy bit of food, and I say "Naw... I'm too gringo." Maybe that makes it like the 'N' word in that way -- it's okay if I call myself a gringo, but I might take offense if I overheard someone calling me that. Maybe not...

Answer 5

Is the way we "Latins" identify people who are from the US, I don't think it's a racist word, depending on context.

P.S. The birth of that word came when the US invaded some "Latin" countries dressed in "green suits" = gringo

Answer 6

This word is not used Central America (Guatemala) - this word was created here in the US of A. To some people it is considered racist.

Answer 7

In Portuguese, can be used to offend someone or, on the other hand, in an affective way. All depends on the context and the level of intimacy you have with the person you are talking with/about. "I love gringos" is for sure pretty different that " f.gringos".

Answer 8

it all depends on the way it is used, the mexicans use a word thats even more offensive though which is huero. the country that my parents are from caucasian people are reffered to as gabachos which is not at all offensive.it doesnt even sound offensive. so next time a caucasian person hears someone calling them gringo you respond to them yo no soy gringo soy gabacho.

Answer 9

No it is not
It is only to denote that someone is from the USA or another foreign country

E.g. “he is a gringo” he is an American or Australian


So you could actually say “ F****** gringo” still the word is not a racist word if you use it this way. it all depends how you use it

Check the definition in wikipedia

Answer 10

The offensive nature of this word depends on where the speaker is from. When Hispanic-Americans use it, it is offensive. Often when Mexicans use it, it is also offensive however, in some Latin American nations, it's not used in an offensive way.

That's why you have a mix of responses here.

Answer 11

Like many other words, this word is racist or not depending only on the voicing and intent of the speaker.