¡Ay bendito! You gotta love this Puerto Rican slang term, as it’s used to express all kind of emotions from happiness, surprise or sadness. The tone you use will dictate how it’s interpreted, similar to how you would say “Oh my god” in English. ¡Ay bendito! que alegría verte – OMG! what a joy to see you!
What does "ay bendito" mean?
"Ay bendito" is simply translated as, "sí." It's a celebration word used in Puerto Rico and is widely recognized as one of the country's most widely used slang terms. Here are some examples of how it's used in popular culture: And while it's in use, the phrase can also be flipped and used in different ways: "y vamos ay bendito" - meaning "yes, we are going to leave now." What it's usually used for Ay, ay, ay! Why are we celebrating today? Are we so happy to see you? How to use the phrase correctly The main use of the phrase is to indicate that a party is happening. So when someone calls you, "hey, bé, who is celebrating today?" You can respond with "ay, ay, ay" (meaning yes, I'm here) which will give them the answer. It’s also used to jokingly congratulate someone.
How do you use "ay bendito"?
Puerto Ricans usually use it to emphasize the excitement or joy they feel or the impact that someone’s presence or something they said has had on them. Asking a Puerto Rican: “¿A dónde has esta contigo?” – Where is that? To prepare for a conversation, you may ask someone with a “Ay bendito” face, “¿De dónde tienes esta contigo?” ¡Ay bendito! dónde estás? – Where are you? In other words, "Ay bendito!" should not be confused with saying “Ay por favor” (please). Now that you know this local slang term, you can start using it! Enjoy it as much as you can!
What is the meaning of "ay bendito Puerto Rico"?
"Ay bendito" is a phrase to express your pleasure in Puerto Rico. It’s used all the time as a comment to express your enthusiasm for Puerto Rico or someone. The first question is: what is the origin of this phrase? The answer to that question is very easy: it’s derived from the Italian term “Bendito” meaning “cute.” The original word comes from the Latin term “betis” meaning “bosom,” which in turn came from the Greek word “Betheis” meaning “breast.” It has to be something like that, right? Actually, our grandparents and great-grandparents called the young lady that has a pretty face, a “breast.” In the old days it was cute, if you know what I mean. It’s ironic that our ancestors made use of this word to the person that is the most attractive.
Other expressions with "ay bendito"
Puro enojado! – Ultra irritated Bien triste! – Bad mood Que mala suerte! – Very unlucky Bien amoroso! – Very in love ¡Ay bendito! – Wonderful Lo mejor! – Best! Suavemente! – Very humorous ¡Ay bendito! – Wonderful "Ay Bendito Puerto Rico" redirects here. It is not to be confused with the 1989 film, "Ay Bentito, La Floribella." See also [ edit ] Ay Bendito, Lucha Sí and other American Puerto Rican place names Ay Bebé, the first book ever published in the Americas. The title was later changed to Ay Bebé: La Casa de la Esperanza. Ay Babe, an American soap opera that ran for over 100 episodes on NBC.
Conclusion
Puerto Rico isn’t just a unique blend of European and African cultures. It is also a multicultural, cultural and ethnic melting pot. So if you ever have the opportunity to visit Puerto Rico, just remember to tell your hosts: ¡Ay bendito!