In short – ‘godínez´ is a Mexican slang word that refers to people who work all day in an office behind a desk – albeit in a rather cheeky way!
Originally, the word ‘godínez’ was nothing more than a very common Hispanic surname, but it later became an extremely popular way to refer to anyone who has a salaried job and shares certain character traits (i.e., those of an office worker).
Let’s take a more in-depth look at this Mexican expression.
Uses / Meanings of ‘godínez’ in Mexican Spanish
‘Godínez’ can be used in the following ways –
- As a surname
- To refer to office workers
As a surname
If you see the word ‘Godínez’ written with a capital letter and preceded by a name, then you, my friend, are looking at a surname!
‘Godínez´ is such a common last name that in the Latin American dubbing of an episode of The Simpsons, Homer even talks about a co-worker called Godínez (some point to this as the origin of the slang expression!)
El juez Enrique Godínez dio el caso por terminado al no encontrar pruebas suficientes para dictar una sentencia.
Judge Enrique Godínez closed the case after finding insufficient evidence to issue a sentence.
Me gusta mucho Mariana Godínez; es la más bonita de toda la escuela.
I really like Mariana Godínez; she’s the prettiest girl in the whole school.
En un episodio de Los Simpsons
Marge – Homero, no está bien llevar camisa de manga corta con corbata.
Homero – ¡Ay! Pero así le hace Godínez …
Marge – ¿Si Godínez se tira del techo tú también?
Homero – Oh, quisiera ser Godínez.
In an episode of The Simpsons
Marge – Homer, it’s not nice to wear a short-sleeved shirt with a tie.
Homer – Oh, but that’s what Godínez does!
Marge – If Godínez jumped off a roof, would you follow him?
Homer – Oh, I wish I was Godínez.
To refer to office workers
If you spend most of the day behind a desk and a computer, you’re very likely a ‘godínez’. This expression is very similar to the Japanese ‘salaryman’, or ‘desk jockey’ in English.
And how do you go about being a ‘godínez’?
Well, first you have to look like one: an ID badge, shirt, and tie, as well as shoes and a suit will ALWAYS be found in a ‘godínez’ wardrobe.
Working days are usually 9 hours from Monday to Friday, so a true ‘godínez’ has a somewhat tedious job and, as a result, a monotonous existence.
Qué onda güey, ¿no te quieres inscribir al gimnasio conmigo?
No puedo. Soy godínez y trabajo todo el día.
What’s up, dude, don’t you want to join the gym with me?
I can’t. I’m a desk jockey and I work all day.
Es típico de los godínez salir a tomar chelas* con los compañeros del trabajo todos los viernes.
It’s typical of a desk jockey to go out for drinks with their coworkers every Friday.
Esos tacos de la esquina están buenos. Ahí van a comer todos los godínez.
Those tacos on the corner are really good. That’s where all the office drones go to eat.
*Erika´s note – ‘chela’ is an extremely popular Mexican word for beer.
‘Godínez’ pronunciation
To correctly pronounce this word, you can break it down into three syllables: ‘goh’, ‘dee’, and ‘nehs’.
Don’t forget to emphasize that middle syllable (as indicated by the accent).
/ goh-dee-nehs /
Similar expressions to ‘godínez’
Godín
This is the singular form of ‘godínez’.
Mexicans actually use ‘godínez’ to refer to BOTH a specific person AND a group of people. ‘Godín’, on the other hand, can ONLY be used to refer to one specific person.
¿Qué pasó con Pablo, no va a llegar a la comida?
No, es godín y sale de trabajar hasta las 7 de la noche.
What happened to Pablo, is he not gonna make it to lunch?
No, he’s a desk jockey and he leaves work at 7 at night.
Ya quítate el gafete; te ves bien godín con él puesto.
Take off your ID badge; you look like an office drone with it on.
Godinear
‘Godinear’ is a made-up verb that’s often used to describe certain activities that characterize ‘godinez’.
For example, taking your lunch to the office in Tupperware, waiting for payday every two weeks, going out drinking with colleagues, and having to buy formal clothes for the office, etc.
¿Me acompañas al supermercado? Tengo que comprar unos Tupperware para llevar mi comida al nuevo trabajo.
No me digas que ya te toca godinear.
Will you come with me to the supermarket? I need to buy some Tupperware to take my lunch into work.
Don’t tell me you’re now gonna act like a regular office jockey?
Ya son las dos de la madrugada, ya me voy porque mañana me toca godinear.
It’s already 2:00 in the morning, I’d better go … I’ve got work tomorrow.
Final Thoughts
‘Godínez’ used to be a derogatory term because it was normally associated with slave-driving managers, low salaries, and few opportunities for professional growth.
However, it’s now become so popular that it’s no longer offensive (although you should always tread carefully when using it!). There’s a whole ‘godínez’ culture that represents the daily way of life of millions of Mexicans, so it’s become a form of funny identification rather than a negative stereotype.
If you want to learn some super useful ways to ask your friends about their work, don’t forget to check out our article on all the different ways to ask someone what their job is in Spanish. Chances are that more than one of your pals will tell you that they’re a ‘godínez’!
¡Hasta pronto!