Imagine this: You’re walking down the street in Mexico City, trying to find that amazing taco stand your friend recommended. You pull out your phone to check the map, but the screen stays black. You press the button frantically. Nothing. It’s dead.
You meet up with your friend later and explain the situation. They look at your phone, shrug, and say, "Ni modo, güey. Ya chupó faros."
If you try to translate that literally, you’re going to be very confused. "It sucked lighthouses?" Not quite.
This is one of those classic Mexican expressions that has survived for over a century, carrying a fascinating bit of history in just two words. Whether you’re talking about a broken laptop, a cancelled plan, or yes, even someone kicking the bucket, Chupó faros is the phrase you need to know.
What Does It Actually Mean?
At its core, chupó faros means that something has ended, broken down permanently, or died. It’s the Mexican equivalent of saying something "bit the dust" or went "belly up."
You can use it in three main contexts:
For objects: When a machine, car, or gadget stops working and is likely beyond repair.
For plans or situations: When a project fails, a relationship ends, or an event is cancelled.
For people: As a euphemism for dying. (Note: This is casual and slightly humorous, so be careful using it around grieving families!)
But why "Faros"? And why "sucked"? To understand that, we have to take a little trip back in time.
The Dark History Behind the Cigarette
This isn't just random slang; it’s a history lesson wrapped in a idiom.
Faros is actually a brand of cigarettes. They were incredibly popular in Mexico during the early 20th century, particularly around the time of the Mexican Revolution. They were known for two things: being very cheap, and having a picture of a ship and a lighthouse (un faro) on the wrapper.
Because they were so affordable, they were often the cigarette of choice for the working class and soldiers. Legend has it that when prisoners were sentenced to death by firing squad during the Revolution, they were granted one final wish. Usually, that wish was to smoke a cigarette to calm their nerves before the end.
Since Faros were everywhere, that’s what they were given. So, if someone was "sucking on a Faro" (chupando un Faro) in that context, it meant their time was up. They were moments away from death.
Over the decades, the phrase softened. It moved from the firing squad wall to everyday life. Now, if your blender burns out while making salsa, it has met the same fate as those revolutionaries: Ya chupó faros.
How to Use It in Conversation
Ready to drop this into a chat? Here are a few real-world scenarios where this phrase fits perfectly.
1. When technology fails you
This is probably the most common usage today. Electronics are fragile, and when they die, they die hard.
"Intenté prender mi compu, pero nada. Creo que el disco duro ya chupó faros."
"I tried to turn on my computer, but nothing. I think the hard drive already bit the dust."
2. When plans fall apart
Let's say you were planning a beach trip, but everyone cancelled or the car broke down. The plan is dead.
"— ¿Siempre vamos a ir a la playa?"
"— No, el plan ya chupó faros. Nadie tiene dinero."
"— Are we still going to the beach?"
"— No, the plan is dead (sucked faros). Nobody has money."
3. The casual mention of death
Again, read the room. You wouldn't say this to someone crying at a funeral. But you might say it when gossiping about a distant acquaintance or a celebrity.
"Oye, ¿supiste del vecino del 502? Ya chupó faros el pobre."
"Hey, did you hear about the neighbor in 502? The poor guy kicked the bucket."
If you want to get really comfortable with these kinds of scenarios, you need to hear them in action. Ahorita drops you into interactive stories where you'll use expressions like this naturally — like chatting with a mechanic about a car that just won't start.
Variations and Related Slang
Mexican Spanish is nothing if not creative. If chupó faros feels a bit too "vintage" for you (though it's still very common), you have options.
If you want to sound a bit more aggressive or vulgar when something breaks, you might hear people use the verb chingar. For example, "Se chingó mi tele" (My TV got busted). It carries the same energy of frustration.
Another related concept is when something is just difficult or problematic. You might ask, ¿qué chingados? (what the hell?) when your car stops working, right before you realize it has, in fact, chupado faros.
And if you're talking about death, there's another colorful phrase: Colgó los tenis (He hung up his tennis shoes). It’s the visual of sneakers hanging over a power line—once they're up there, they aren't coming down.
Tips for Sounding Natural
The key to using chupó faros is resignation. It’s usually said with a sigh or a shrug. It implies that the situation is final. There’s no fixing the phone; the plan is definitely off; the person is gone.
Also, pay attention to the grammar. It is almost always used in the past tense ("chupó") because the event has already happened. You wouldn't usually say "va a chupar faros" (it’s going to suck faros) unless you are predicting an imminent disaster.
For example, if you see your friend driving a car that is smoking and making terrible noises, you might warn them:
"Ese coche va a chupar faros si no le pones aceite."
"That car is going to die if you don't put oil in it."
But 90% of the time? You'll use it when the damage is already done.
So next time you're in Mexico and the waiter tells you the beer tap is broken, don't just say "oh, okay." You can look at your friends and say, "Ni modo, la chela de barril ya chupó faros." You’ll definitely get a laugh (and maybe a bottle instead).
