Two words, two meanings. The difference? One letter.

“Eres un cabrón”.

“Eres una cabrona”. 

Both can be used very differently, and that of course depends on where you’re at or where you’re from. 

When you come from a culture where the man is expected to be strong, outspoken, a risk taker, “cabrón” is used in a more positive way. “Ese güey es un cabrón”. “Hombres cabrones”. He is a man, he is a leader. A man who is considered a “cabrón” can also be a troublemaker, but that’s ok… he’s a man. 

In that same culture, a woman is expected to be nurturing, a mother, a wife, caring, quiet.

“Esa mujer es una cabrona”

If she is a “cabrona” then she is stubborn, opinionated, she doesn’t care what others think, she is a bitch. One would expect a woman with these traits to be seen in a positive light, as if she’s a leader, a woman who can take risks and succeed. That’s not necessarily the case. 

A woman with these traits will be called “rebelde”, some will even suspect she is a lesbian. Or maybe she has some sort of issue that she isn’t talking about. “Vieja cabrona”.

Why? ¿Por qué? 

I asked around a bit. 

“Because of society…because that’s how the culture works”, they responded. 

No one wants to deal with a “cabrona” but everyone wasn’t to work under a “cabrón”. He is sure to succeed, she will cause too much trouble. La “cabrona” sets rules and guidelines, then apologizes for perhaps being portrayed as “bossy” or “mean”. A man… you don’t question, he doesn’t think twice. 

“Cabrón” and “cabrona” come from the Spanish language, the concept of the terms exist in all languages (SEE IMAGE BELOW). 

My question to you now is, what would you think if someone was to label you as either?