What Does Órale Mean in English? (Plus How to Say It in Spanish)

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Guide to saying órale in different contexts & emotions

Co-authored by Alejandra Alfonzo and Elaine Heredia, BA

Last Updated: January 8, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Órale Meaning
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• How to Use Órale
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• How to Respond to Órale
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• When to Say Órale
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• Órale Origins
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• Video

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Like many Mexican slang words, órale (pronounced "or-ah-lay") has so many meanings it can make your head spin! The word it originates from is ahora, meaning "now," but órale can stand for anything from "Okay" to "Wow" to "Hurry up." The key to understanding when to use this versatile term is knowing the context and setting of your conversation. Don't worry; this article will guide you through how to use and respond to órale appropriately and to whom you should say it.

Meaning of Órale

Órale (pronounced "OR-ah-lay") is a Mexican slang term that means, "okay," "alright," "wow," "oh my God," "come on," "right now," and "hurry up." Its meaning changes based on the context of the conversation and the speaker's feelings. It's used in informal settings, like when you're talking with friends and family.

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Section 1 of 5:

What does órale mean?

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1. 
   Órale is an interjection in Mexican Spanish slang that indicates approval. It is also commonly used in the United States as an exclamation expressing approval or encouragement. The term has varying connotations, including an affirmation that something is impressive, an agreement with a statement (akin to "okay"), or to signify distress.

   • The proper pronunciation of órale is "OR-ah-lay," with the emphasis on the first syllable.
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Section 2 of 5:

How to Use Órale Appropriately in Conversation

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1. 1
   Use órale to agree with or approve of something. Órale is perfectly appropriate to use when someone tells you something you agree with or shares plans you approve of. In this context, the word will mean, "Okay!" "Alright!" or "I agree with you!"

   • Example Conversation:
     • Speaker 1: "¿No sería genial tener un millón de dólares?" ("Wouldn't it be great to have a million dollars?")
     • Speaker 2: "¡Órale! Podría hacer tantas cosas con ese dinero." ("I agree with you! I could do so many things with that money.")
2. 2
   Say órale to respond to a statement or sentence. In many conversations, you may feel the need to respond to what someone else has said to fill the silence, but in a neutral way. Órale will come to your rescue in these situations and help you say "Okay" and "Alright" as a noncommittal, polite acknowledgment. You can also add pues after órale to say, "Alright, then."

   • Notice how @mexicanngueys demonstrates the neutral ways to say órale in this TikTok.
   • Example Conversation 1:
     • Speaker 1: "Mañana voy a la tienda. Necesito zapatos nuevos." ("I'm going to the store tomorrow. I need new shoes.")
     • Speaker 2: "Órale. Espero que encuentres lo que estás buscando." ("Okay. I hope you find what you're looking for.")
   • Example Conversation 2:
     • Speaker 1: "Tengo que ir. Tengo que descansar para mi examen de mañana." ("I need to go. I need to rest for my test tomorrow.")
     • Speaker 2: "Órale pues. Dormir bien." ("Alright, then. Sleep well.")
3. 3
   Exclaim órale to express surprise or amazement. Órale can help you say, "Wow!' or "Oh my God!" when you're reacting to surprising news. It works whether you're reacting to something wonderful, terrible, or simply shocking; the way the other person receives it will simply depend on the way you inflect your voice.

   • Check out how @ayoitsc3sar changes his voice in his TikTok video about all the ways to use órale.
   • Example Conversation 1:
     • Speaker 1: "¿Viste ese terrible accidente automovilístico?" ("Did you see that terrible car accident?")
     • Speaker 2: "¡Órale, no! ¡Cuéntamelo todo!" ("Oh my God, no! Tell me all about it!")
   • Example Conversation 2:
     • Speaker 1: "¿Escuchaste la noticia? ¡Voy a tener un bebé!" ("Did you hear the news? I'm having a baby!")
     • Speaker 2: "¡Órale! ¿No es este tu séptimo hijo?" ("Wow! Isn't this your seventh child?")
4. 4
   Use órale to express disappointment or disgust. When someone tells you something that disappoints you or hurts your feelings, say órale to mean, "Wow, okay.". Use it as a sarcastic response when speaking directly to the person who hurt you or when you hear about their words or actions secondhand.

   • Example Conversation:
     • Speaker 1: "Ella dijo que eres un mentiroso y un tramposo." ("She said you were a liar and a cheater.")
     • Speaker 2: "Ella me hizo mal, pero órale, es bueno saber lo que ella siente por mi." ("She did me wrong, but it's okay, it's good to know how she feels about me.")
5. 5
   Say órale to encourage someone. Everyone needs a little encouragement, whether it's to try on that outfit they keep walking past in the department store, go bungee jumping together, or lend you $20. Doubtful of what Spanish word to say to replace "Come on!" "Let's go!" or "Go ahead" in your conversation? Just use órale! You can also say órale vato to mean, "Come on, dude!" in a friendly, joshing way.

   • Example Conversation 1:
     • Speaker 1: "¿Quieres ir conmigo al concierto de Coldplay?" ("Do you want to go with me to the Coldplay concert?")
     • Speaker 2: "¡Me encanta Coldplay! ¡Órale!" ("I love Coldplay! Let's go!")
   • Example Conversation 2:
     • Speaker 1: "Ya te presté dinero la semana pasada." ("I already lent you money last week.")
     • Speaker 2: "¡Órale vato! ¿No puedes darme un poco más?" ("Come on, dude! Can't you give me a little more?")
6. 6
   Opt for órale when you want to hurry someone along. When you're ready to go out the door, or you urgently need someone else to finish what they're doing quickly, what do you say? In English, you would say, "Hurry up!" In Spanish, you just say (you guessed it) ¡Órale!

   • TikToker @la.cucaracha.sara gives a perfect example of how to use órale to rush someone along in this video (co-starring her sister's adorable corgi!).
   • Example Conversation:
     • Speaker 1: "Ya casi termino de prepararme." ("I'm almost done getting ready.")
     • Speaker 2: "¡Órale! ¡Vamos a llegar tarde a la película Wicked!" ("Hurry up! We're going to be late for the Wicked movie!")
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Section 3 of 5:

How to Respond to Órale

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1. 
   1
   Respond to “órale” in conversation by continuing the dialogue. In most casual conversations, the other person will say órale simply to acknowledge, agree with, or approve of whatever you're saying. As long as they haven't turned away or appear distracted, take órale as a sign that it's okay to keep talking.
2. 
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   When someone shouts "órale" at you, check your surroundings. You may be in someone's way or moving too slowly for someone's taste. Your friends or family may say this to you when they want you to hurry to do something or go somewhere. Likewise, strangers may say it if you're holding up traffic or blocking an aisle in a store.
3. 
   3
   If someone says "órale" and gestures, they may want you to follow. Órale in this context usually means, "Come on" or, in some cases, "Go ahead." This can happen when you're waiting to enter a public space, and someone holds the door open for you. It can also occur when the other person wants to show you something, like a special item, collection, or view.
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Section 4 of 5:

When is it appropriate to say órale in conversation?

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1. 
   Use órale when making casual conversation with close friends. A lot of Mexican Spanish speakers say órale but only in informal settings, like at home or when they run into someone they know while running errands. The friends and family you say órale to will likely be the people you feel the most comfortable around and who are okay with you saying a Mexican slang term in their presence.

   • Avoid órale in professional settings or around older adults. When you're in a board meeting, talking to teachers and other professionals, and addressing your elders, stick to formal language.
   • While órale doesn't have an offensive meaning, it's still a slang term, and that kind of casual terminology can be inappropriate in the above contexts.

Section 5 of 5:

What is the origin of órale in Spanish?

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1. 
   Órale originates from the Spanish word ahora meaning "now." Over time, Spanish speakers dropped the "a" and "h" from the beginning of ahora, leaving it as ora. Then, Mexicans added "le" to the end of ora, which turned the word into an imperative – órale – a verb one uses to command or direct someone else.

   • Today, órale is used for a variety of different contexts, not just as an imperative.
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