follar
What does follar mean? follar is a Spanish severe that translates to “to fuck / to shag” in English.
Literal Translation
to puff or blow with a bellows
Meaning & Usage
"to fuck / to shag"
To have sexual intercourse. It is the absolute standard vulgar verb for sex in Spain.
Examples in the Wild
Said bluntly by a Spanish youth boasting about their weekend: 'Tío, este finde he follado.'
Regional Variations
When to Use It
Context
- Expressing strong frustration or emphasis
- Only among very close friends who share this register
Avoid
- Professional or formal settings
- Around elders or authority figures
- Public spaces — will cause genuine offense
- Mixed company or unfamiliar social groups
- Job interviews, meetings, or customer-facing situations
Cultural Context
The etymology traces back to the action of a blacksmith's bellows (fuelle), vividly comparing the rhythmic breathing and movement to sex. In Spain, this is the go-to word—far more common than 'coger' which just means 'to grab' there. A 'follamigo' is a fuckbuddy. 'Un follón' is a huge mess or loud argument. It almost never means 'to fuck up' in the sense of making a mistake; it strictly retains its sexual core.
More in Spanish 🇪🇸
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“wanker / lazy bastard / flake”
Someone who masturbates a lot; figuratively, a supremely lazy person or someone who talks a lot but never follows through.
comemierda
“arrogant prick / stuck-up bitch / full of shit”
A deeply arrogant, conceited person who thinks they are better than everyone else, or alternatively, a complete fool.
la concha de la lora
“for fuck's sake / godfuckingdammit”
An exclamation of extreme frustration, surprise, or anger. It vividly expresses that a situation has gone completely wrong.
puta
“whore / bitch / fucking (as intensifier)”
Prostitute or promiscuous woman; used as general expletive or intensifier. When combined with 'madre' becomes extremely severe.
puto
“fucking (intensifier) / male whore / faggot”
Male prostitute; homophobic slur; or intensifier similar to 'fucking'.
pinche
“fucking / damn / stupid”
Kitchen helper in Spain; in Mexico, a versatile intensifier meaning 'fucking' or 'damn'.
pelotudo
“idiot / moron / dumbass”
Stupid person, idiot. Similar to boludo but slightly more insulting in Argentina.
chingadera
“piece of shit / fucking annoyance / crap”
A useless, broken, or annoying object. Also refers to an unfair or treacherous action.