Che (/tʃeɪ/; Spanish: [tʃe]; Portuguese: tchê [ˈtʃe]; Valencian: xe [ˈtʃe]) is an interjection commonly used in Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil (São Paulo and Rio Grande do Sul) and Spain (Valencia), signifying "hey!", "fellow", "guy".[1] Che is mainly used as a vocative to call someone's attention (akin to "mate!" or "buddy!" in English),[2] but it is often used as filler too (akin to "right" or "so" in English). The Argentine revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara earned his nickname from his frequent use of the expression, which amused his Cuban comrades.[3]
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.[4] Che is now mainly used in Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia and Paraguay. In Brazil, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, the form tchê is used, and in the state of São Paulo the form ché is used.
In Spain, in the Valencia region, the form xe is used, with a similar meaning.[5]
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 19th-century Argentine writer Esteban Echeverría's short story "The Slaughter Yard" ("El matadero"), published posthumously in 1871 but set in 1838–1839 in the Rosas era.
Che, negra bruja, salí de aquí antes de que te pegue un tajo—exclamaba el carnicero.[9]
("Hey, you black witch, get out of here before I gash you," said the butcher.)
In the Falkland Islands, che is commonly used by English speakers ("G'day che, how's things?"). It can also be written as "chay".[10] The word is sometimes used to describe someone who is a particularly traditional Falkland Islander ("He's a proper che").[citation needed]
In Spain, che is widely used in Valencia and Terres de l'Ebre, Catalonia (written as xe), as an interjection. With the spelling "xe" in Valencian, its main use is to express protest, surprise or exasperation. Xe! 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 "Xe Team".[11]
In the Philippines, che (also spelled cheh) is used to express the dismissing another person or interrupting another person's speech, similar in context to the English expression "Shut up!".
[...] the word 'che' - meaning something like 'mate' or 'buddy'. It is used casually to grab the attention of a familiar friend, but develops an edge of impertinence if said to a figure of authority.
The Cubans were amused by Guevara's characteristically Argentine speech, peppered with the word 'che' [...]. Guevara used it to everyone. The Cubans called him 'el Che'. It stuck.
