Mexican slang for "man"... there is some kind of respect implicit on this word to the guy referred as vato. Vato is a guy who means business.

The instance Bato instead of Vato should be more appropiate as it sounds on the streets. But grammatically, both words are correct because this word hasn't been ruled by any Language academy so far.

Vato is not the same as güey. Güey does not implies respect. Güey is more alike to be pejorative or familiar depending the way it is applied.
Fuí con este vato y me dijo que tu ranfla ya no sirve ése...
Que pasó vato, hace un buen que no te wachabamos por acá en el cantón...

Saludos desde Juaritos Raza!!
by neoleox2003 June 7, 2009
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Vato is mostly used by mexicans, the word is used in place of "man"..
1.Fucken Vato stole my girl!!
2.Hey girl your Vato is fine!!
3. That Vato crazy!!
by GiNiTa March 28, 2007
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The word Vato is Spanish for "dude", or "man" - made popular by the song appropriately named "Vato" by Snoop Dogg featuring B-Real and Pharrell.
"Vato you wont believe what I saw,
I saw these pack a gangs and they act real hard..."
by Joe W. Thomas August 30, 2006
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Hispanic word. roughly translated as 'friend'. kind of like homie or blud.
ayo, what'z goin' on vato?
by SpooKy Boy June 19, 2005
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Wheres ur vato at?
or
that vato is lookin pretty firme
by xdreamerx June 7, 2006
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