paisano

American  

[pahy-sah-noh, -zah-, pahy-sah-naw] / paɪˈsɑ noʊ, -ˈzɑ-, paɪˈsɑ nɔ /

Also paisan

noun

plural

paisanos

1. a person who shares one’s place of origin; compatriot.

2. Informal. a pal; buddy; compadre.

3. Southwestern U.S.

   1. a person who lives in a rural area; farm laborer; rustic.

   2. a roadrunner.

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paisano British  

/ paɪˈsɑːnəʊ, paiˈsano /

noun

1. informal a friend; pal

2. a fellow countryman

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Etymology

Origin of paisano

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45; from Spanish, from French paysan; peasant

Example Sentences

Lalo said his late father and uncles taught him and his cousins a simple mantra: Siempre una mano pa’l paisano.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 17, 2025

The Hector of the tale is the village mayor, a paisano whose native cunning has been reinforced by the study of Machiavelli.

From Time Magazine Archive

The grass is always greener on the other side of the tube, so Singer Vic Damone crosses over to play a paisano partisan who helps the Allied agents on the Jericho team.

From Time Magazine Archive

Like their greatest paisano, Picasso, Spanish geniuses have their roots in another century or their homes in another country.

From Time Magazine Archive

“It’s an old paisano man, and he says he’s come back.”

From "The Red Pony" by John Steinbeck