π§ Mate emoji meaning
π§ stands for mate, the herbal drink popular in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and southern Brazil, and people send it to talk about drinking mate or relaxing with friends. The Apple artwork shows a round brown gourd with a silver rim and a metal straw, called a bombilla.
U+1F9C9
Download size
Similar emojis
More emojis: Food & Drink
As a Coupang Partners affiliate, this site earns a commission from qualifying purchases.
What π§ means
The tone is warm and social. In South America, sharing mate is a daily habit with friends, family or coworkers, so π§ often reads as an invitation to sit, talk and spend time together. Argentines and Uruguayans also use it as a small sign of national pride, for example during football matches or when talking about home while living abroad. Outside that region, some people use π§ more loosely for any herbal tea, a cozy hot drink or a slow morning. It is friendlier and more cultural than β, which is just coffee, and more specific than π΅, which usually means green tea.
In texting
Most often it means "I am drinking mate" or "come over for mate". From someone in Argentina, Uruguay or Paraguay, it is an everyday social invitation.
On Instagram and TikTok
It appears in captions for morning routines, study sessions and posts about Argentine or Uruguayan culture. It can also mark a creator as being from that region.
π§ How people use it
- Inviting friends over to share mate
- Showing a morning or study routine
- Expressing Argentine, Uruguayan or Paraguayan pride
- Talking about herbal tea or a cozy break
Example messages
Mates at my place later? π§
Monday morning survival kit π§π
Miss home so much, nobody here drinks mate with me π§π’
Final tonight, mate ready π§π¦π·
Common π§ combinations
- π§π¦π·Mate and Argentina, a proud nod to Argentine culture
- π§πΊπΎMate and Uruguay, where mate is part of daily life
- π§βοΈA sunny morning with mate
π§ vs similar emojis
| π§ vs π΅ | π΅ is a handleless teacup usually used for green tea, while π§ is a gourd with a metal straw used for mate. |
|---|---|
| π§ vs β | β is a general hot drink, mostly coffee, while π§ points to mate and its South American culture. |
Emoji details
| Name | mate |
|---|---|
| Codepoints | U+1F9C9 |
| Category | Food & Drink |
| Keywords | drink |
How to use
Search
Find emojis by name or keyword (e.g. "smile", "heart", "fire").
Sizes
32, 64, 128, 256 and 512px transparent PNGs. Get all five in one ZIP.
Skin tones and genders
People emojis include five skin tones and gender variants as separate images.
Usage
Apple emoji artwork is Apple's property. Use for personal or non-commercial purposes; check Apple's policy for commercial use.
FAQ
What does the π§ mate emoji mean?
π§ stands for mate, the herbal drink popular in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and southern Brazil, and people send it to talk about drinking mate or relaxing with friends. The Apple artwork shows a round brown gourd with a silver rim and a metal straw, called a bombilla.
Is π§ the same as tea?
Not exactly. Mate is made from yerba mate leaves, which come from a different plant than regular tea, though people sometimes use π§ for any herbal drink.
Why do Argentinians use π§ so much?
Because mate is a daily ritual in Argentina and is shared among friends and family. The emoji works as a sign of friendship, home and national identity.
How do you reply to π§?
If it is an invitation, say whether you can join, for example "Yes, I'll bring the pastries". If it is just a mood, you can reply with β or π§ to share the moment.
Are the backgrounds transparent?
Yes, every PNG has a transparent background.