I hear this word thrown around quite a bit and was hoping for a concrete definition ( I know it literally means tiger). Is the word equivalent to a "thug" or more like a "playa" in the U.S>? Is it always negative? I remember a conversation I was having in the D.R. where I was speaking to a chica assertively. Her friend then stated " Ese homre es un tigre" or something to that effect. Any thoughts?
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Definition of Tigre
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Depends
No, connotation and situation is important.
It also means that somebody is clever or cunning (>> sankie); a tiguere malo, however, is a crook or even worse.
m'frog
No, connotation and situation is important.
It also means that somebody is clever or cunning (>> sankie); a tiguere malo, however, is a crook or even worse.
m'frog
I've heard it being said with a glint in the eye to point out a man that is hot with the ladies ... It depends on the circumstances.
Tiguere or Tiguerazo, is either a thug or slick guy who has a lot street smarts. If you are talking "slick" to a female, you will sometimes hear people refer to you as a Tiguere. It's not that enduring and its wise to refrain people from calling you that.
And if you are the THUG then it means a Punk with a gun or knife to rip people off...In that case he is called A--hole.......
It's 'tiguere'...
Although I stake my best guess as to the origin of this word on the theory that the qualities of a tiger (ambition of freedom, independence, agility, agressiveness and ferocity) were attributed to what in the DR we identify as a sagacious man or even as a delinquent, the word is 'tiguere', distancing itself from the term from which it derived (tigre).
Perhaps the popularity of the Licey Tigers baseball team played an important role in the birth of the term 'tiguere' or it could also be that the tiger is portrayed as a big cat after all, a species that Dominicans identify as an intelligent animal
Although I stake my best guess as to the origin of this word on the theory that the qualities of a tiger (ambition of freedom, independence, agility, agressiveness and ferocity) were attributed to what in the DR we identify as a sagacious man or even as a delinquent, the word is 'tiguere', distancing itself from the term from which it derived (tigre).
Perhaps the popularity of the Licey Tigers baseball team played an important role in the birth of the term 'tiguere' or it could also be that the tiger is portrayed as a big cat after all, a species that Dominicans identify as an intelligent animal
In genral anyone calls you a tigre..they are reffering to you as from the streets..gangster..sorta way.
It can be good or bad depending on the context...good only if they are teasing you and really don't mean it.
If you were talking like Dominican slang to a girl..that is probably why they would call you that.
Could also just mean that you are tough..or could be they don't like you and are sayin u are like a theif...all depends on context as was mentioned before.
It can be good or bad depending on the context...good only if they are teasing you and really don't mean it.
If you were talking like Dominican slang to a girl..that is probably why they would call you that.
Could also just mean that you are tough..or could be they don't like you and are sayin u are like a theif...all depends on context as was mentioned before.
This is for "animation". If you want to learn the true meaning of the word Tiguere, I suggest you read a very interesting book by Lipe Collado entitled: " El Tiguere dominicano" (Hacia una aproximacionn de como es el dominicano).
Actually the connotations and the history of the word Tiguere (NOT Tigre, though it derives from that word) can be learned by reading Lipe Collado's marvelous little sociological study, El Tiguere Dominicano. The odd pronunciation is a holdover from the Haitian invasion when the Haitians, referring to the palomos in the street, called them "tiguerrre" rolling the r in the French manner and of course adding the vowel between g and r. The history of the word reveals many meanings and that is why there are so many connotations that depend heavily on the context. A tiguere can be an out and out good for nothing crook or lazy shiftless delinquent or a ladies man or a sharp dealer or a street smart con man, or a great dresser, etc etc. The term Tigre was apparently very popular in the 40s due to Cuban radio and it was used to refer primarily to a kind of Sky Masterson type (for those of you who remember Brandon in Guys and Dolls). A slick dresser, ladies man, street smart, charmer, very hip, very sly. There are various types of tigueres too: the Tiguere Bimbin, Tiguere Ayantoso, Tiguere Ranquiao, etc. REad the book, you can find copies in most stores and in the La Cafetera en el Conde. It is short, not too well written but thoroughly interesting.
oops, sorry Marco, didnt see your post. Well let it stand.
oops, sorry Marco, didnt see your post. Well let it stand.
It is also used in salutations amongst male friends and male family members. For instance, a male friend might greet his friends with "Dimelo tiguere", "Y que tiguere or tiguerazo", in a way its takes the same meaning as "what's up dude, or what's up bro' ". In all, the nagative or positive meanings come with the expression and attitude the person saying it.
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