What does “¿Qué pedo?” mean?

Literal translation

What fart?

Natural translation

What’s up? / What’s the problem?

What it really means

Vulgar Mexican greeting between close friends. ‘¿Qué pedo?’ can mean ‘what’s up?’ as a casual hello, or ‘what’s the deal/problem?’ when something’s off. ‘Pedo’ is one of the most flexible words in Mexican slang.

When Spanish speakers use it

Greeting close friends, confronting someone, or asking what’s wrong. Never use it in formal settings, at work, or with people you don’t know.

Examples in context

• ¿Qué pedo, carnal? ¿Cómo andas?
  What’s up, bro? How’s it going?
• ¿Cuál es tu pedo?
  What’s your problem?
• No hay pedo, todo bien.
  No problem, all good.

Regional differences

• Mexico: Vulgar but everyday between close friends; never in formal contexts.
• Other Latin America: Understood but rarely used — sounds very Mexican.

Natural replies you can use