Spanish Word of the Day: gay

A while ago, I watched La Mala Educación with a Spanish friend of mine. The movie is about two guys who are gay and their difficult childhood while living at a boarding school. However, they aren’t easy for themselves and say the word maricón all the time (yes, they call each other puto maricón quite some times). I already knew the word, but this made me think it’s acceptable to use it to refer to homosexuals. But, my friend said it’s better not to use maricón in public.

Instead, I should either use homosexual or gay. Yes, gay, like the English “gay”. It’s a pity that there’s so much English in Spanish nowadays, but it certainly makes it easier for learners. However, you have to watch out not saying gayes in plural. The correct form is gays. Again, just like in English.

Sorry, no sentences with the word gay. Just remember you use gay for both man and woman (el gay and la gay) and that the plural form is gays (los gays and las gays).