What It Means to Be a No Sabo Kid: Is It an Insult?

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Plus, the hidden strengths of being a no sabo kid

Co-authored by Alejandra Alfonzo and Marcus Pruitt, BS

Last Updated: July 9, 2025 Fact Checked

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What is a no sabo kid?

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Challenges of Being No Sabo

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No Sabo Kid Myths

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No Sabo Kid Benefits

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Other Spanish Slang

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No sabo kids are Hispanic people who aren’t fluent in Spanish. They’re often born to native parents and have a strong connection to the culture growing up, but as they get older, their linguistic connection tends to fade. Read out to learn what it means to be a no sabo kid, challenges and myths associated with being a no sabo kid, and more!

No Sabo Kid Meaning

A no sabo kid is someone of Hispanic descent who isn’t fluent in Spanish. The term “no sabo” is a grammatically incorrect way to say “I don’t know” in Spanish. “No sabo kid” was originally an insult, but many self-proclaimed no sabo kids have reclaimed it to embrace their status as cultural bilinguists.

Section 1 of 5:

What is a no sabo kid?

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A no sabo kid is a Hispanic person who doesn’t speak fluent Spanish. No sabo kids are typically born to two native immigrant parents. They may have been taught Spanish at a young age alongside the language of the country they reside in, and as a result, have a harder time retaining their native language later in life.^{[1]
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Research source} Some no sabo kids know a little bit of Spanish, while others may not know any.
- No sabo kids tend to mix the two languages they grew up with. So if a no sabo kid grew up learning English, they may occasionally mix it with Spanish and speak “Spanglish.”
- No sabo was originally a derogatory term, but no sabo kids have reclaimed it as a badge of honor, embracing their unique status as cultural bilinguists.
- “No sabo” is a grammatically incorrect way of saying “I don’t know.” The correct Spanish equivalent is “no sé.” The term “no sabo kid” suggests that these individuals do not know how to speak Spanish correctly.

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Challenges Faced by No Sabo Kids

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No sabo kids may have a hard time connecting with their cultures. Since no sabo kids tend to have a split connection between their native culture and the culture of the country they live in, they often feel disconnected from one or both of those cultures. They may face many challenges, including:^{[2]
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- Losing Spanish fluency as they get older.
- Understanding Spanish but being unable to speak it.
- Feeling guilty because they don’t speak Spanish.
- Being chastised and singled out for being unable to speak Spanish.
- Feeling isolated from the Hispanic community because of their inability to speak Spanish.
- Struggling with pronunciation.
- Being too fluent for classes but not fluent enough to converse with others.

Section 3 of 5:

Myths About Being No Sabo

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There are many negative myths associated with being no sabo. From not being able to speak Spanish to being disconnected from their culture, there are many negative myths and stereotypes associated with being no sabo. These myths are prevalent in the Latino community and include:
- No sabo kids have a harder time learning Spanish.^{[3]
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- They don’t know Spanish is supposed to be spoken.
- Having two languages in the house is confusing for them.
- They aren’t connected to their culture.
- They’re more aligned with the culture of their home country than their native culture.
- They think they’re better than native Spanish speakers.

Section 4 of 5:

Benefits of Being a No Sabo Kid

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No sabo kids are versatile and multifaceted. Despite often being perceived as uncultured by both sides, no sabo kids actually benefit greatly from being a part of their heritage culture and the culture of their home country. Those benefits include:^{[4]
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- Understanding multiple languages and cultures.
- More career opportunities due to their understanding of both languages and cultures.
- Diverse mental connections thanks to their understanding of both languages.
- A wider catalogue of words to choose from.
- Unique recognition of patterns and connections due to their wide vocabulary.

Section 5 of 5:

Other Spanish Slang Terms

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Spanish slang is popular and prevalent in English and Spanish cultures. There are plenty of Spanish slang terms that have been adopted by English speakers, including “no mames,” “gringo,” and other terms, showing the strong connection between the two cultures. Other Spanish slang terms and phrases include:
- Güero
- Fresita/Fresa
- Órale
- La caca
- Gordita
- Torta
- Hyna
- Toxica