75 POPULAR MEXICAN WORDS AND THEIR MEANING - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2024

Some say that there are as many Mexican words as there are Mexicans in the world. Mexico is a country with approximately 120 million inhabitants and a land area of ​​almost 2 million square kilometers.

This makes the diversity of words originated by Mexicans surprising even themselves since, although there are words that everyone uses and understands, there are many more that are used in each region or state.

Going from the southeast to the north of the Mexican territory can bring with it the feeling that you have traveled from one country to another. The pronunciation, the accent or tone and the difference in names that they have for each thing generates communication problems between the nationals themselves, and what to say between foreigners.

The following describes Mexican words and idioms invented in this country, in addition to other existing ones that are given a different meaning in Mexico.

Properly Mexican words

Mexicans invented their own words that were generated from the sounds of indigenous words, words in English or other languages ​​and even from the abbreviation of phrases in Spanish.

As a consequence of globalization, some of these words are already used in other countries, or at least understood.

Mexico City

Achicopalar

Discourage: "Don't get shy."

Acocote

Instrument used to extract mead from the maguey: “Bring me the acocote”.

Pamper

Lovingly hugging or caressing: "I need a cuddle."

Sidewalk

Sidewalk: "He got on the sidewalk."

snack

Sandwich, appetizer or light meal: "I brought the snacks."

Cantinflear

Talk bluntly, incongruously and nonsensically: "Stop chanting and tell me what happened." This term originated from a well-known character from Mexican movies called Cantinflas, since speaking in that way was one of its main characteristics.

Stroller

Baby carriage: "Put the baby in the stroller."

ketchup

Tomato sauce: "Can you pass me the ketchup?"

Chatter

Talk or converse a lot about a topic but without substance. Chattering can also mean trading or dealing in things that don't have great value.

Chafa

Something of poor quality or little value: "The design is a bit shabby."

Chalet

Expression of surprise, usually in a negative way or lament: "Chale, you would have told me!"

Chaparro / rra

Short person: "She is very short."

Chavo / goes

Young person: "I used to go when I was young."

Check

Same meaning of the Spanish verb check, revise or examine: “Check the invoices they sent”.

beer

A chela is a beer. Example: Let's have some chelas!

Chero

Prison or jail: "They sent him to the car."

Cheve

Beer: "Let's go for some cheves."

Cool / day

Something good or cute: "This restaurant is cool."

Chilango / ga

Person or thing from the capital (Federal District): "The Chilangos do not understand this."

Choco / ca

Person or thing from the state of Tabasco: "Choco cocoa is the best."

Raw

Hangover: "He gave me raw."

Friend

Very close friend, only for the male gender: "He is my friend."

Scotch tape

Although it is a brand, in Mexico all adhesive tapes are called like this: "We glue the poster with diurex."

Gross

Expression of disgust or disgust: "Guácala, I will not eat that!"

Güero / ra

White or blond-haired person: "My sister is a blonde."

Son

Expression of surprise or amazement: "Hi, I didn't know that!"

Snout / na

Boastful or indiscreet person: "He was snout to tell him what I said"

Huarache

Sandals: "He put on his huaraches."

Jaina

Girlfriend: "I have no jaina."

Jocho

Hot dog or hot dog: "I ate 2 jochos."

Tire

Fat fold around the waist: "I already got tires from eating so many tacos."

Backpack

Bag or purse that is carried on the back: "Put the notebooks in your backpack."

Naco / ca

Vulgar or rude person: "I didn't want it for naco."

Net

Truth or sincere person: "It is clear that it rained."

Orale

Expression to exhort someone to hurry up or to do something: “Oh, we're late!”, Astonishment or surprise: “Oh, how great you are!”, Or just to let it be known that what the other was understood or understood person said, synonymous with the expression “OK”.

T-shirt

Short-sleeved collarless shirt: "I only have black shirts."

Pulque

Alcoholic drink obtained by fermenting the juice extracted from the maguey: "We drink a lot of pulque."

Refri

Coming from the word "refrigerator", it is the appliance where food is kept: "The water is in the fridge."

Ruco

Elderly person, belonging to the third age, old.

Serape

Blanket or blanket with an opening in the center to introduce the head and use as a garment, usually in bright colors: "Take your serape just in case."

Teto

Silly or childish person: "What a tit!"

Tianguis

Popular market or informal economy that is usually provisional: "I bought fruits in the tianguis."

Tlachique

Maguey juice: "You have to extract the tlachique."

Tompiates

Word used to refer to the testicles. It is also an indigenous basket made of palm to store tortillas.

Unicel

Expanded polystyrene: "They gave me a Styrofoam cup."

Vato

Man or boy: "I saw a guy from school."

Kid

It is a word to refer in a derogatory way to a child. The origin of this word comes from the Nahuatl language "iztcuíntli" and did not refer to children, but to a hairless dog that existed in Mexico before the arrival of the Spanish. A synonym for this word is "brat."

Words with different meanings in Mexico

There are words in Spanish that said in Mexico can mean something totally different from its original definition, so understanding it will depend on the context in which they are said.

Waters

Expression of warning or caution, as if to say to be careful: "Waters on that street."

lunch

Food eaten in the morning after breakfast and before the main meal: "I brought lunch and dinner."

Joint

Leisure venue to drink alcoholic beverages, listen to music and dance, usually at night: "On Saturday we went to the club."

Okay

Greeting when answering the phone: "Good?"

Hearty

Although Campeche is the name of Campeche, a state of Mexico, this word is used in various regions of the country to refer to a food or drink formed by the combination of different foods or drinks, without being related to this state: “It gives me four hearty tacos ”.

Truck

Bus: "I got on the truck."

Suck

Alcoholic drink or its consumption: "Where is the chupe today?".

Food

When a Mexican uses this word, he usually refers specifically to food eaten in the middle of the day: "They offer breakfast, lunch and dinner there."

Coyotito

Siesta: "He took a little coyotito."

Girdle

Encounter or moment in which caresses or kisses are given passionately: “I knew that they were walking in a girdle”.

Strawberry

Person who is or behaves as if he belonged to the upper social class: "She is strawberry."

Scrub

It can refer to beating: "You don't know the scrubs he gave her", or excessive or complicated work: "My boss brings me to scrubs."

Beat

When you feel like something or feel like it: "It beats me to see that movie."

often

Food with pieces of the cow's stomach: "There was not often on the menu."

Bear

Shame or shame: "What a bear he gave me!"

Father

Something very good, excellent or impressive: "The concert was great."

Lace

Graphite mines: "My toes ran out."

Blowout

Spree, party or boisterous fun: "We are going to burst."

Cake

Bread that is cut lengthwise and filled with other foods: "I ate a ham cake."

Words that could be considered vulgar

Although Mexicans are people of very good treatment and good manners, they very often use words that in some moments or situations can be considered vulgar.

Even in formal, business or social settings, words or expressions are used that may be frowned upon by people with whom one does not have much confidence, while among friends none of these would be considered offensive or disrespectful.

The common use of these words means that some are not considered as vulgar as others, but they are still so.

Dumbass

It can be a person with a bad character or very experienced, it will depend on the context: "What a bastard she is!"

Chichona

Woman with very large breasts: "You like it because it is big."

Fuck

It is one of the words most used by the Mexican for the multiple meanings it has. As a verb it can refer to:

-Damage ("The computer already screwed up").

-Working very hard ("I go on chinga").

-Steal ("I fucked my pencil").

-Commit a sexual act, generally as an offense ("I fucked your sister").

-Being annoying or annoying ("He's fucking me").

Some of its conjugations can mean something very different or opposite, like the four mentioned below.

Chingada

Anything very bad or complicated: "He went to hell"; or promiscuous woman: "Damn mother!"

Chingadazo

Very strong blow: "He gave his fuck."

Fucking

Expression of surprise: "Ah, fucking!".

Chingón / na

Very good person or thing, of excellent or extraordinary quality: "Your phone is awesome."

Culero / ra

Fearful or cowardly person: "He did not come for asshole."

Start

Same meaning of the verb drunk: "He only came to get started."

Riot

Disorder or mess: "Everything was a mess."

Güey

This word has different meanings. It may refer to a man who is unknown: "A guy I saw on the street"; to a stupid person: "I'm going güey today"; to treat a friend: "Güey, I told you not to go"; or as an expression of amazement, warning or pain: "Güey, watch out!"

Huevón / na

Lazy or lazy person: "Come up, don't be stupid."

Joto

Homosexual, effeminate or cowardly man: "I think he's joto."

Mother

Give very strong blows: "I was all screwed up."

Suck

Exaggerate: "You are sucking."

Mamón / na

Cocky, unfriendly or hateful person: "Before you were very suckers."

Panocha

Vulva or vagina: "The dog was smelling her pussy."

Fart / day

It can refer to a party or meeting in which alcoholic beverages are drunk in excess: “I was in that peda”, to a person who is drunk: “It got really bad”, or to a conflict or problem: “He made me fart because I've arrived late".

Scullion

Despicable person or thing, of poor quality or insignificant: "The fucking cup fell."

Whistle

Penis: "The cock was being seen."

Dunce

Although it is a word of affectionate connotation, it is used to define someone who is rough, slow, silly or clumsy to learn.

Themes of interest

100 typical words and phrases from Argentina

50 most popular Peruvian words and phrases.

Colombian words.

Mexican phrases.

References

1. Mulato A. "17 Mexican phrases that do not make sense when said in English" (2016) in Verne. Retrieved on March 23, 2019 from Verne: verne.elpais.com
2. Cruz, M. "Discover the meaning of these 23 Mexican sayings" (2016) in Verne. Retrieved on March 23, 2019 from Verne: verne.elpais.com
3. Gaona, P. “Orale, how cool! The origin of these six words of daily use ”(2017) in Chilango. Retrieved on March 23, 2019 from Chilango: chilango.com
4. "Dictionary of Americanisms" (nd) in the Association of Academies of the Spanish Language. Retrieved on March 23, 2019 from the Association of Academies of the Spanish Language: lema.rae.es
5. "Dictionary of the Spanish Language" (nd) in the Royal Spanish Academy. Retrieved on March 23, 2019 from the Royal Spanish Academy: del.rae.es
6. Gómez de Silva, G. "Brief Dictionary of Mexicanisms" (sf) in the Mexican Academy of the Spanish Language. Retrieved on March 23, 2019 from the Mexican Academy of the Spanish Language: academia.org.mx
7. Moreno, M. "26 words that Mexicans use daily and that the RAE does not recognize" (2016) in Verne. Retrieved on March 23, 2019 in Verne: verne.elpais.com
8. “20 Mexican words and expressions that we should all use” (2018) in Liopardo. Retrieved on March 23, 2019 in Liopardo: antena3.com
9. “7 Mexican slang words from Netflix's Club de Cuervos” (2018) in Hello Spanish. Retrieved on March 23, 2019 in Hello Spanish: hellospanish.co
10. “5 More Mexican Slang Words that You Need to Know” (2017) in Hello Spanish. Retrieved on March 23, 2019 in Hello Spanish: hellospanish.co