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When traveling in Spanish speaking countries, one of the best ways to befriend a native Spanish speaker is to have some knowledge of their local slang, which is why today we’re going to teach you the very best Mexican slang.
Of course, it’s a good idea to first know some basic Spanish words, or even better, learn the most common Spanish phrases for traveling.
Once you cover these, you’ll want to make local friends and what better way to do so than to speak the local lingo.
Since our post on Colombia slang proved to be so popular, we figured that it was time to dedicate a post on teaching the most commonly used Mexican slang.
(Some of the following language is a little “colorful”, and so we advise the easily offended to stop reading right now)
What are Mexican slang words you need to know?
1. Güey
This word is at the forefront of Mexican slang. Similar to “dude” in English, “güey” is commonly used for friends or acquaintances, and in some unpleasant situations, refers to strangers in a sarcastic way. Pronounced like “whey” in English.
- Mira güey, ¿salimos hoy o que? – Hey dude, wanna go out today?
2. Neta
This is another one of those words that you will hear in movies, tv shows, or from some Mexican friends. It usually means “the truth”, but when used interrogatively, it’s understood as:
- ¿Neta? – For real?
You can also refer to someone great by saying:
- ¡Eres la neta! – You rock!
3. No manches
When a friend tells you about some amazing event, or something that you don’t know if it’s real or not, you would say No manches! (Really? or Are you kidding?).
You can also use ¡No mames! which means the same thing, but is a little more colourful (similar to damn!).
4. ¡Órale!
This word has many different purposes: amazement, approval, enthusiasm and even to complement orders.
- ¡Órale! ¿Y tu desde cuando trabajas tanto? – Wow, since when do you work so much?
5. ¡Aguas!
As odd as this expression may seem, it has no relation to water. This expression refers to being alert or aware of your surroundings.
- ¡Aguas! – Watch out!
6. Pinche
Typically used as an adjective to label something as ugly, terrible or of bad quality. Can also be used as a curse word to enhance an insult and its characteristics (the same way “fucking” in English is used.
- ¡Jajaja! pinche Ricardo, siempre sales con esas cosas – Hahahah, fucking Ricardo, you always come up with stuff like this
- Eres un pinche idiota, Ricardo – You’re a fucking idiot, Ricardo
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7. Chido
Mexicans love to use “chido” to describe something cool, or with good vibes. It can be used with people, objects or situations.
- Esta bien chido ese regalo, gracias wey – That gift is really cool, thanks man
8. No Hay Bronca
Let’s start with “bronca”, commonly used to refer to a problem or discomfort. So as you can imagine “no hay bronca”, means that there is no problem – everything is fine.
- Claro, yo te puedo prestar algo de dinero, no hay bronca – Sure, I can lend you some money, no problem
9. Chavo or Chava
The most commonly used words to describe children, adolescents and young people in general. Similar to “kid” in English.
- El chavo sigue en el colegio, debería buscarlo – The boy is still in school, I should pick him up
10. Naco
Mexican slang for someone with a tacky, or poor attitude, and is considered less sophisticated than your regular member of society. Most of the time, a naco acts unpleasantly, is not well-educated and uses certain colorful slang. Close equivalent to “ghetto” in English.
- Naaah, te ves muy naco con eso, mejor cambiate – Nah, you look really trashy on that, go change
11. Fresa
You probably recognize this word as “strawberry”, but in Mexican slang, “fresa” is used to describe a person who is a snob, stuck-up and basically, thinks that they are better than everyone else. They’ll likely speak with a distinct accent – which may or may not be fake.
- Sabes que no me gusta salir con hombres como él, es demasiado fresa – You know I don’t like going out with men like him, he’s way too stuck up
12. Chicano
Natives use this word to describe people of Mexican origin born in the United States, or people who were born in Mexico but emigrated to the US at an early age.
- Hay una población bastante grande de Chicanos en Los Angeles – There is a very important Chicano population in Los Angeles
13. Cholo
Commonly heard in the southwest of the United States, “cholo” is a somewhat loosely defined term, but it generally refers to Mexican gangsters, with a very specific look – big white shirts, black baggy shorts, shaved heads, religious black ink tattoos, black shades, etc.
- Tengo algunos primos cholos, pero prefiero no meterme en eso – I have a few cholo cousins, but I’d rather not get involved with that
14. Metiche
That person who always has his/her nose in other people’s business. Not guaranteed to spread rumors, but still likes to keep tabs on everyone’s business.
- Hay demasiados metiches en mi trabajo, no los soporto – There are too many nosy people on my job, I can’t stand them
15. Tocayo
Nickname given to anyone who shares your first name.
- Ahí va el tocayo – There goes my tocayo
16. Prieto
While this may seem a little racist to an English speaker, in Mexico this word is seen as non-offensive slang to describe someone with darker skin.
- ¿Recuerdas quién es Daniel? Mi amigo prieto, estuvo acá el otro día – Remember who Daniel is? My black friend, he was there the other day
17. Vieja
Although this directly translates to “old lady”, in Spanish and particularly Mexican slang, this word is used as an affectionate word for your mom.
- Tengo que visitar a la vieja de vez en cuando, y darle algún regalito – I have to visit my mother from time to time, and give her some little present
18. Padre
Similarly, this literally translates as “father”, but in Mexican slang means cool. You’ll hear common phrases such as “que padre!” (“How cool!”) or ‘más padre’ (‘very cool’). Just like “chido”, it can be used when talking about people, things or situations.
- Está bien padre ese juego, ¿como se llama? – That videogame looks really cool, how’s it called?
19. Chela
Chelas, or cheves are beers, and the word comes from a beer cocktail (michelada) that mixes beer with lime, chili and tomato juice.
- Dame dos chelas para mi y mi compadre – Give me two chelas for me and my compadre.
20. Pomo
A rather short name for a bottle of any liquor that you might find, from vodka to some fine tequila.
- Las chelas no van a alcanzar para todo el mundo, hay que abrir un pomo – Beers aren’t going to be enough for everyone, we have to open a bottle
21. Malacopa
The lightweight person who gets drunk extremely easy or extremely fast – we all know someone like that.
- Creo que el pomo no hacía falta, estos son muy malacopa – I think the bottle wasn’t even necessary, these guys are extreme lightweights
22. Crudo
The imminent future of a “malacopa” is to have a hangover.
- Esta mañana amaneci crudo – I woke up with a hangover today
23. Cantina
Sounds similar to a canteen, and they serve a similar purpose, since this term means “bar” for Mexican folk.
(A naco will probably describe a nightclub as “antros”)
- Hoy no tengo ganas de ir a la cantina, vayan ustedes – I don’t want to go to the bar tonight, but you guys can go
24. Pedo
This word has 3 uses a) a fart b) being buzzed/drunk c) being a problem.
- No pensé que fuesen a volver tan pedos wey – I didn’t think you’d come home so drunk, man.
25. Chamba
A difficult and demanding job, or an unpleasant situation i.e. something you don’t want to get stuck in for too long.
- Mañana tengo que volver a mi chamba wey, o me despiden – I have to go back to my job tomorrow man, or I’ll get fired
26. Changarro
The name given to small, wholesome family businesses – like the bodega (mom and pop store) on the corner of the street.
- Ve al changarro ese y ve si tienen algunos dulces – Go to the store and see if they have any kind of candy
27. Chafa
Something that is of very low quality, disappointing or prone to causing frustration and have you screaming “¡Que chafa!” which means “what crap!”.
- Esa camisa está chafa – This t-shirt is bad quality (or fake)
28. Varos
Slang word for money, capable of replacing the word “pesos” since it can hold a numerical value, like “bucks”.
- Me pagaron esta semana, puedo poner unos cuantos varos más para la pizza – I got paid this week, I can help with a few more bucks for the pizza
29. Refresco
Commonly used slang term for sodas of any kind.
- ¿Quieres beber refresco o te sirvo algo más? – Do you want to drink some soda or do you want me to serve you something else?
30. Paro
This simply means favor, and will replace the word in most occasions.
- ¿Me puedes hacer un paro y recordarme eso? – Can you do me a favor and remind me of that?
31. Gacho
This is a substitute for “feo” (ugly), though both words are used in a much wider sense than for physical ugliness i.e. just general badness.
- No seas gacho, déjalos ir al parque – Don’t be so boring, let them go to the park
32. Jalada
A word for something that is completely unbelievable or overdone, like “The Fast and Furious” movie franchise.
- No puede ser, que jalada toda esa historia, ¿como quieres que te crea? – That’s a ridiculous story, how do you want anyone to believe you?
33. Chorro
When you have a stream of something, meaning you have large quantities of it (like “The Fast and Furious” boxset collection).
- Tenemos un chorro de películas por ver esta vacaciones, deberíamos comenzar – We have a ton of movies to watch on vacation, we should get started
34. Ratero
In Mexico, “ratero” is used instead of “ladrón”. Both words mean “thief”.
- Pues el teléfono me lo robó un ratero, así que no tengo – A thief robbed me off of my phone, so i don’t have one
25. Vocho
Nickname for the old Volkswagen Beetle, a car you will see a lot in Mexico.
- ¿Por qué hay tantos vochos en la capital? – Why are there so many beetles in the capital city?
36. Chamarra
In Mexico, this word is slang for jacket or coat, and acts as a replacement for “chaqueta” which is used in every other Spanish speaking country.
That’s because in some parts of Mexico, “chaqueta” is a slang term for masturbation or touching yourself.
So if you want to avoid an awkward (and possibly funny moment, the next time you go to buy a “jacket” in Mexico, it’s best to use the slang term.
- ¿Me prestas tu chamarra? – Can I have your jacket for a minute?
37. Chanclas
A word for sandals and flip-flops, a common sight everywhere in the country.
- Deberías ponerte algo mejor que esas chanclas para salir – You should put on something better than those flip-flops to go out
38. Camión
A slang word for both formal and informal route buses, even though it means “truck” in the rest of Latin America.
- Apúrate que no vamos a alcanzar el camión – Hurry up or we won’t catch the bus
________________________
By learning these Mexican slang terms, you’ll have a better chance of endearing yourself to the locals – or at the very least make a Spanish speaker laugh.
For some slightly more NSFW words, make sure to read our ultimate guide to Spanish curse words here.
Mexico. The most populous Spanish speaking country in the world and one of the most influential in terms of Spanish language film and literature.
If you’re going to learn the common Spanish expressions of any country, Mexico is a great one to start with.
Secondly, Mexico has some unique expressions that were probably not included in your Spanish textbook or course.
You’ll encounter them frequently in movies, tv and pop culture, as well in your conversations with Mexicans you meet!
In this post, I’m going to help by sharing 29 of the most common Mexican Spanish slang words and expressions you’re likely to hear.
But first… let’s talk about why slang words, phrases and idioms are important to learn if you want to become a confident Spanish speaker.
By the way, if you want to learn to speak like a Mexican and participate effortlessly in local conversation, why not check out my popular Mexican Spanish book?
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Why Learn Mexican Spanish Idioms & Slang?
Spanish idioms and slang are two of the things that complicate the process of transitioning from staged speaking and listening exercises to speaking Spanish comfortably with native speakers.
If you stop to think about it, you can probably come up with a whole list of words in your native language that mean something other than the literal translation or have different meanings around the world.
For example:
- An “apartment” in the United States is a “flat” in the UK or Australia.
- A “car park” in Britain would be a “parking lot” in the US and Canada.
- A “barbie” in Australia means a barbeque, whereas, in other English speaking countries, you’d probably think of a Barbie doll!
So it’s always a good idea to brush up on slang and common expressions when you are planning to travel to a new place.
Learning Mexican Spanish slang will help you understand what is being said and help you sound more like a native speaker yourself.
It will help you fit in so you sound less like a foreigner.
Imagine the surprise on your new friends’ faces when you use their common expressions with ease!
So as you can see – learning some Spanish slang is pretty useful!
Now because a lot of dictionaries, movie translations, and study guides come out of Spain, many Spanish learners pick up on Peninsular Spanish expressions before they learn Latin American slang.
That can lead to confusion when you travel to Latin America and keep you from learning the colloquial expressions and terms.
So instead of focusing on slang from Spain, in this post, we’ll look at essential slang from one of Latin America’s biggest and most influential countries: Mexico.
Key Features Of Mexican Spanish: Vocabulary & Grammar
Before I get to the list of slang phases, there are two key things you should know about Spanish in Mexico as opposed to Spain or other Spanish-speaking countries:
- Mexicans do not use the vosotros or vos conjugations for informal speech. The ustedes form is the only conjugation you’ll need for groups (whether you’re friends or not) and tú is used for all informal second person situations.
- Mexico has more words based on English than other Spanish-speaking countries, probably because of its proximity to the United States. For example, here are some Mexican words you may not hear anywhere else:
- hobby (hobby)
- marqueta (market)
Ok, we’re ready to get started!
Without further ado… here are 29 Mexican slang words and phrases that will have you sounding like a native in no time!
If you prefer to learn by watching videos, check out the video lesson from the StoryLearning® Spanish YouTube channel below. That way you can hear how these words are pronounced.
Or for the full list of 29 Mexican slang words and phrases, scroll down and keep reading!
29 Mexican Slang Words And Phrases Every Spanish Learner Needs To Know
1. ¿Mande?
Used to ask someone to repeat something if you didn’t hear or understand what was said the first time.
This is extremely helpful to know if you are travelling to Mexico as a Spanish learner, as you may often need people to repeat themselves.
It is considered more polite than ¿Qué? or ¿Cómo? in Mexico, but rarely used elsewhere.
2. Pedo
Technically, pedo translates to “fart,” but it is used in quite a few phrases in Mexico, some of the most common of which are:
- ¿Qué pedo? – What’s up?
- No hay pedo – It’s no problem
- Andar bien pedo/a – to be very drunk
- ¿Dónde es la peda? – Where is the party?
Pedo is considered quite crude in some parts of the Spanish-speaking world, so I suggest you pay attention to what the people you are speaking with are saying before trying these phrases yourself, especially if not all of your speaking companions are from Mexico.
3. ¿Qué onda?
This one is nice and simple! It’s another casual way to ask a close friend, “What’s up?” and you’ll hear Mexicans use it all the time.
4. Güey (also spelled “wey”)
Güey translates roughly to “dude” or “man” in Mexico.
Where in Spain you might ask a friend, ¿Qué pasa, tío?, you’d be much more likely to say, ¿Qué onda, güey? in Mexico.
5. Codo/a
Codo/a translates to “elbow,” but it’s is also used in Mexico to describe someone overly frugal or tightfisted with his or her money.
- Juan nunca gasta en cosas innecesarias. Es muy codo. – Juan never spends money on unncessary things. He’s very frugal.
6. Estar crudo/a
Put simply, estar crudo/a means to have a hangover.
Literally, it would be translated as “to be raw”, which is probably not a bad metaphor for feeling hungover!
- Estoy bien crudo hoy. – I’m very hungover today.
7. ¿Qué tal?
I bet you’re surprised to see this phrase make the list.
After all, ¿Qué tal? is not specific to Mexico.
However, it does have a different meaning in Mexico than in Spain and some other Spanish-speaking countries.
In Mexico, ¿Qué tal? means “What’s happening?” or “What’s up?” as opposed to “How are you?” or “How are things going?” as you may have learned in your Spanish textbook or class.
So, it’s much more casual than the same phrase would be in other dialects of Spanish.
8. Tener feria
This one means “to have money”, as in:
- ¿Tienes feria para salir este fin de semana? – Do you have money to go out this weekend?
In some parts of Mexico, feria can also refer to pocket change.
9. ¡No manches!
You will use this expression most often when listening to a story or anecdote as it’s used to express shock or surprise.
In English, it would translate roughly to “No way!” or “You’re kidding me!”
10. La neta
La neta in Mexican Spanish means the truth.
It can be used either as a way to agree with someone;
- Sí, es la neta – Yes it’s the truth
… or to express doubt in what they’re saying:
- ¿Es la neta? – Is it the truth?
If you refer to a person as neto/a, you are describing someone who can be trusted or that you can always count on.
11. Ni modo
There is no literal translation of ni modo in English but it falls somewhere between “no big deal” and “it is what it is.”
You can use ni modo to say you have no preference or also to express disappointment at something you have no control over.
12. ¡Aguas!
¡Aguas! means… Watch out!
The story goes that this expression dates back to the days when the contents of chamber pots and other wastewater were tossed out the window and into the street each morning.
These days, ¡Aguas! isn’t related to water or waste at all. Instead, it’s an expression similar to “Heads up!” still used in Mexico and some parts of the United States.
13. Estar cañón
To be difficult or hard, as in:
- El examen estuvo cañón – The exam was really hard.
You can also use cañón to add intensity to an expression, such as:
- Te extraño cañón – I miss you so much.
14. Eso que ni qué
This handy Mexican phrase means “definitely” or “without a doubt”.
Use eso que ni qué to express total agreement with what someone else is saying.
- – Chichen Itza es uno de los lugares más conocidos de México – Chichen Itza is one of the most well-known places in Mexico.
- – Eso que ni qué – Without a doubt!
15. Fresa
You probably already know that the noun fresa literally means “strawberry”.
In Mexico, though, it’s also an adjective to describe someone as stuck up or snooty.
16. Vato
Vato means “guy” or “man”, and has a measure of respect or being impressed about it.
However, in some situations, it also has a gang connotation and is more closely translated to “gangster.”
There’s some debate about whether vato is a variant of bato (fool), chivato (informant or snitch), or other indigenous words from the region.
Wherever it comes from, it is used today in Northern Mexico between friends.
It’s also been included in a number of Spanglish expressions and songs, such as in the Texas Tornados song, “Hey Baby, ¿Qué Paso?”:
17. Chido/a
Chido/a is a Mexican adjective meaning “awesome” or “cool”.
It’s used the same the way you would use guay in Spain. For example:
- Es un vato chido – He’s a cool guy!
18. Padre
Of course, padre generally means ‘father’ in Spanish, but in Mexico, it’s also another way to say, “Awesome!” or “Great!”, for example:
- ¡Qué padre! – How awesome/great!
19. Chicano/a
This term is an interesting one and you may well hear it used among latinos in the US as well as in Mexico.
It’s an adjective referring to people of Mexican origin living in the United States.
20. ¡Órale!
There’s no literal translation for órale in English.
Instead, it can mean one of a few different expressions, such as:
- “Okay”
- “Well done”
- “Come on”
- “No way!”
I know it sounds tricky but don’t worry! The context will always make it pretty clear what is being expressed.
21. Ser bien gacho/a
To be gacho means to be “lame” or “uncool”, when directed at a person.
When directed at a situation, it is another way to say mala onda or “bad vibes.”
- No me gusta esta fiesta. Está bien gacha. – I don’t like this party. It has bad vibes.
22. Carnal
Carnal means “brother”, either literally or as an expression or term of endearment between close friends.
- Oye, carnal, ¿cómo te va? – Hey brother, what’s up?
23. Te crees muy muy
This one means “You think you are such a big deal” and is used in the same way it’s translation would be in English.
It may seem simple but it can go a long way to helping you sound more natural in your conversations!
24. Chavo/a
A word used to informally refer to children, like “kids” in English.
Other words in Mexico with similar meanings include chamaco/a and morro/a.
- Los chavos están jugando al fútbol – The kids are playing football.
25. Sin broncas
Bronca roughly translates to “fight” or “row.”
So, to say something or someone is sin broncas, you are saying there’s no problem (e.g. they’re “without fight/disagreement”).
26. ¡Qué huevos!
This phrase is used to express admiration or amazement at something daring or brave.
It’s also sometimes used to express dismay or disgust. And when it is you’ll be able to tell easily from the context.
¡A huevo! is a similar expression that means “Absolutely!” or “Let’s do it!”
However, it’s a good idea to use the word huevos with care, as it’s also a common Spanish slang term for “testicles”!
As you might imagine, this means there are many vulgar innuendos and insults that include the word huevos; so much so that some foreigners fear even using the word when ordering eggs at a restaurant!
You don’t need to worry about saying a curse word when ordering huevos directly. But do be careful to avoid any unfortunate hand signs or overly specific descriptions that could lead to a round of laughter at your expense!
27. Huevón/a
Huevón literally means a “large egg” but is used colloquially as an insult to talk about an extremely lazy person. For example:
- Mario nunca hace nada. ¡Qué huevón! – Mario never does anything. What a lazy guy!
28. Sale
Just as Spaniards say vale to mean “Let’s go!” or “Okay, cool” and Argentineans use dale, Mexicans express the same thing with the word sale.
- ¿Vamos al cine a la tarde? – Sale – Shall we go to the cinema in the afternoon? Ok, cool.
29. No hay de queso, nomás de papas
This classic Mexican slang phrase is used in place of “you’re welcome” and it’s actually a play on words made famous by a popular Mexican television show!
It is a variant on the common expression no hay de qué which means “no problem.”
It’s Time To Start Using Your Mexican Slang!
There you have it!
29 Mexican slang words and expression to impress your friends while travelling in Central America and sound fluent in Spanish in no time!
By learning these essential Mexican phrases, you’ll not only learn to keep up in conversation with your Mexican friends but also be able to watch a range of fantastic Mexican movies and TV shows that use colloquial slang.
You’ll be able to speak Mexican Spanish with greater confidence without the fear of being laughed at for using “textbook phrases” or formal Spanish.
So what are you waiting for? Learn the phrases that are most relevant to you, then get out there and practice using them! ¡Suerte!
By the way, if you want to immerse yourself in the different Spanish dialects of Spain and Latin America, while pushing past the dreaded intermediate plateau, then check out the Fluent Spanish Academy.
It’s an entire library of Spanish learning material with audio and transcripts and much more to get you fluent in the language fast.
Click here to find out more about Fluent Spanish Academy and how it can help you.
Content
- Properly Mexican words
- Achicopalar
- Acocote
- Pamper
- Sidewalk
- snack
- Cantinflear
- Stroller
- ketchup
- Chatter
- Chafa
- Chalet
- Chaparro / rra
- Chavo / goes
- Check
- beer
- Chero
- Cheve
- Cool / day
- Chilango / ga
- Choco / ca
- Raw
- Friend
- Scotch tape
- Gross
- Güero / ra
- Son
- Snout / na
- Huarache
- Jaina
- Jocho
- Tire
- Bag
- Naco / ca
- Net
- Orale
- T-shirt
- Pulque
- Refri
- Ruco
- Serape
- Teto
- Tianguis
- Tlachique
- Tompiates
- Unicel
- Vato
- Kid
- Words with different meanings in Mexico
- Waters
- lunch
- Joint
- Good
- Hearty
- Truck
- Suck
- Food
- Coyotito
- Girdle
- Strawberry
- Scrub
- Beat
- often
- Bear
- Father
- Lace
- Blowout
- Cake
- Words that could be considered vulgar
- Dumbass
- Chichona
- Fuck
- Chingada
- Chingadazo
- Fucking
- Chingón / na
- Culero / ra
- Start
- Riot
- Güey
- Huevón / na
- Joto
- Mother
- Suck
- Mamón / na
- Panocha
- Fart / day
- Scullion
- Whistle
- Dunce
- Themes of interest
- References
Some say there are so 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 the feeling that you have traveled from one country to another. The pronunciation, accent or tone and the difference in names that they have for each thing generates communication problems between 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
The 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.
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, aperitif 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 films 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 negotiating things that are not of great value.
Chafa
Something of poor quality or little value: «The design is a bit shabby.»
Chalet
Expression of surprise, usually in a negative or regretful way: «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 don’t understand this.»
Choco / ca
Person or thing from the Tabasco state: «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.»
Bag
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, you’re so great!», Or just to let it be known that what the other person understood or understood person said, synonymous with the expression “OK”.
T-shirt
Short-sleeved collarless shirt: «I only have black shirts.»
Pulque
Alcoholic drink that is obtained by fermenting the juice that is 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 or informal economy market that is usually provisional: «I bought fruits at 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.»
Good
Greeting when answering the phone: «Good?»
Hearty
Although Campeche is the gentilicio of Campeche, a state of Mexico, this word is used in several 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: «A coyotito took off.»
Girdle
Encounter or moment in which caresses or kisses are passionately given: «I knew they were 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 him», or excessive or complicated work: «My boss brings me in 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: “Let’s go out on a rampage”.
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 because of 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 just came to get started.»
Riot
Disorder or mess: «Everything was a mess.»
Güey
This word has different meanings. It can refer to a man who does not know himself: «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 an idiot.»
Joto
Homosexual, effeminate or cowardly man: «I think he’s joto.»
Mother
Give very strong blows: «I was all screwed up.»
Suck
Exaggerate: «You’re 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 phrases and words.
Colombian words.
Mexican phrases.
References
- 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
- Cruz, M. «Discover the meaning of these 23 Mexican sayings» (2016) in Verne. Retrieved on March 23, 2019 from Verne: verne.elpais.com
- 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
- «Dictionary of Americanisms» (s.f.) 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
- «Dictionary of the Spanish Language» (s.f.) in the Royal Spanish Academy. Retrieved on March 23, 2019 from the Royal Spanish Academy: del.rae.es
- Gómez de Silva, G. «Short Dictionary of Mexicanisms» (s.f.) in the Mexican Academy of the Spanish Language. Retrieved on March 23, 2019 from the Mexican Academy of the Spanish Language: academia.org.mx
- 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
- “20 Mexican words and expressions that we should all use” (2018) in Liopardo. Retrieved on March 23, 2019 in Liopardo: antena3.com
- “7 Mexican slang words from Netflix’s Club de Cuervos” (2018) in Hello Spanish. Retrieved on March 23, 2019 in Hello Spanish: hellospanish.co
- “5 More Mexican Slang Words that You Need to Know” (2017) in Hello Spanish. Retrieved on March 23, 2019 in Hello Spanish: hellospanish.co
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Are you familiar with the Mexican word of the day meme? It’s an hilarious internet pun where you take a everyday word and then use it in a sentence by a heavy accent Mexican person.
It’s pretty racist actually but you can’t help it not to laugh. Below we give you 31 pictures of the popular Mexican word of the day so you could familiar yourself with this funny phrase.
If you ask me, it’s one of the best and funniest memes i saw online in a long time:
1. Mexican word of the day #1 Wheelchair
2. Mushroom
3. Bishop is another word of the day to a mexican
4. Budweiser – this one is hilarious!
5. Herpes – ohh get that away from me
6. Chicken, Ay caramba
7. Harassment – Get it? LOL
8. Juanita likes me but cheese ugly
9. I wanted to go to the club tonight but no body wash my kids
10. Hurry up and pikachu
11. When Maria farts in the car – nobody can brief – love this mexican word of the day meme
12. Ima cashew outside, how bah dah
13. I have a bad memory because ice mocha lots of weed
14. The phone goes green green, so i pink it up and say yellow
15. The wind blueberry hard
16. don’t mess with him, judo know if he has a knife, judo know if he has a gun
17. Tell me if juicy the cops
18. Juan had to take xanax for hispanic attacks
19. I told Maria a funny joke, and cheapest her pants
20. I have a gun and if you break into my house i will choo choo
21. To open the janitor closet you have to use jerky
22. Cheez its christ it’s cold outside
23. I can always tell when my son is lying to me, he doesn’t library good
24. My wife never listens so i nutella nothing
25. I love this mexican word of the day because it’s real things that happen to real people
26. He’s a very Batman, he’s been robin everybody
27. I have to cut down on Tequila because it’s bad for deliver
28. My boy is drunk because he ESPN his pants
29. Why gillette that girl talk shit about you
30. LMAO! Political memes are funny
31. Still nacho president
These mexican memes are hilarious! Please share with your friends
Let’s say that you’ve been studying Spanish for a while. Now you’re ready to visit a Spanish-speaking country to put all that knowledge into practice and measure your progress.
Mexico is a great option. It’s close to the States, it’s cheap and it has great food and a lot of fiestas! All you need to know are a few Mexican slang words and you’ll be ready to mingle with the locals.
In this post, we’ll learn about the origins of Spanish in Mexico, why it has so many words that don’t exist in other Spanish-speaking countries, and some of the most widely used Mexican slang words (and I should know, as a Mexican citizen!).
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Traveling to México
Traveling is one of the most enriching activities you can engage in. It opens your eyes and mind like nothing else does, except for books maybe. But it comes with its own share of challenges, the language barrier being the most obvious one. So, it’s always a good idea to learn some basic words and phrases of the language spoken in your destination.
However, the Mexican version of Spanish has some particularities to take into account.
Mexican Spanish Overview
In the 500-year history of the Spanish language in México, its development is deeply intertwined with its relationship to the indigenous languages that existed before the arrival of the Spanish.
That’s why you see so many words using the ch sound, which is a legacy from the Nahuatl, the Aztec language. This characteristic is also strongly reflected on Mexican slang words such as chido, chafa, chamba and many others. For a quick journey through Mexican slang listen to the famous Café Tacvba song Chilanga Banda.
20 Mexican Slang Words
1. Chido
Chido means cool, awesome. It’s not a bad word, but it almost surely comes from a bad word. Everybody understands it in México. You can also say padre instead, both words mean the same.
¡Están chidos tus tenis!
Your tennis shoes are cool!
2. Chavo/chava
These words mean boy and girl, and are understood in most Latin American countries, thanks to the popular Mexican TV show El Chavo del 8.
Aquel chavo de allá trajo la pelota.
That boy over there brought the ball.
3. Güey
In the past, güey used to be a bad word, but not anymore. Nowadays, you can hear it on the radio, on TV ads, and pretty much everywhere. It means “dude,” “buddy,” “mate,” and it’s also widely used as a filler word throughout México.
Oye güey, ¿hiciste la tarea?
Hey dude, did you do your homework?
4. La neta
La neta is the truth, but as explained in the Mexican film Y tu mamá también directed by Alfonso Cuarón, is much more than that. That movie is a crash course on Mexican slang and in it, la neta achieves cosmic significance.
La neta es chida pero inalcanzable.
The truth is cool but unattainable.
5. Chafa
Chafa refers to something of low quality. It can be an object like a car or a phone but also places or events. Something not nice. A vacation, a government, or a concert can all be chafas. A similar word in English would be “crappy.”
Está muy chafa la película, mejor vamos por un helado.
This movie is very crappy; we should go for an ice cream instead.
6. Gacho
Gacho has a similar meaning to chafa, but they are not exactly the same. It can mean ugly, bad, boring, or not cool. Even though objects can be gachos, the term is usually applied to situations or people.
El profesor de español es muy gacho.
The Spanish teacher is not cool.
7. ¡No manches!
This is the kid-friendly version of another expression that’s not suitable for all audiences. It expresses surprise, disgust, and rejection. Depending on the situation it can mean “really?,” “no way!,” or simply “damn!”
¡No manches! Estuvo muy difícil el examen.
Damn! The exam was really hard.
8. Carnal
Literally means “brother,” but as with “bro” in English, it’s used to refer to good friends, too.
María, te presento a mi carnal.
María, this is my bro.
9. Compa
Compa comes from compadre, which is what a kid’s father and godfather are to each other. It means “friend.”
Dejen a mi compa en paz.
Leave my friend alone.
10. ¡Aguas!
Agua means water, but in this case it’s a warning. In the past, sewage waters used to be thrown out of the window and people would shout ¡Aguas! to alert other people who were passing by. Now, it’s used as a more general warning in Mexico. Interesting how languages evolve.
¡Aguas! Viene un coche.
Watch out! A car is coming.
11. Buena onda
Buena onda is a phrase coined in the sixties and it embodies the spirit of that decade. It means “good vibes,” “groovy,” or “cool.”
No te preocupes, mi papá es buena onda.
Don’t worry, my dad is groovy.
12. ¿Qué onda?
The onda brought a whole vocabulary with it, and there was even a cultural and literary movement based on it. ¿Qué onda? means “What’s up?”
¿Qué onda? ¿Cómo estás?
What’s up? How are you?
13. ¡Órale!
¡Órale! can mean “wow!” or “awesome!” It expresses undefined admiration.
¡Órale! ¡Qué grande está este avión!
Wow! This plane is huge!
14. Pachanga
A pachanga is a party or a simple gathering with friends.
¿Estuvo buena la pachanga anoche?
Was the party last night good?
15. Chamba
A chamba is a job. You can go to la chamba, which is going to work. And it’s also a verb—chambear means working.
¡Me encanta mi chamba!
I love my job!
16. Un chorro
To have un chorro of something is to have a lot of it. Remember that the double r in Spanish is a strong sound.
Tengo un chorro de chamba.
I have a lot of work.
17. Un choro
Just by getting rid of an r, the word completely changes its meaning. Un choro is an excuse, a lie, the stuff people say when they didn’t do what they were supposed to do and are now trying to talk themselves out of trouble.
¡Que buen choro te inventaste!
What a great story you just came up with!
18. Hueva
Hueva is a term that expresses laziness, a state of being unwilling to do anything. It can be translated as sloth.
¡Qué hueva tengo!
I’m so lazy!
19. Codo
Codo literally means elbow, but in Mexican slang it means stingy.
Préstame 100 pesos, no seas codo.
Lend me 100 pesos, don’t be stingy.
20. Lana, feria, varo
All these words mean “money” in Mexican slang. Think of the American “bucks” or British “quid.”
Se me acabó la feria.
I ran out of money.
La Neta del Planeta (“The Truth of the Planet”)
“The truth of the planet” is that now you are ready to visit Mexico and show off your Spanish skills and Mexican slang mastery. If you know any other Mexican slang word that you consider should be included on the list, leave a comment and start a conversation!
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– Cindy D, Parent of 3
“HSA offers very affordable, quality, one on one classes with a native speaker. My son has greatly benefited from taking classes. We have seen his confidence increase as well as his pronunciation improve, because he learns from a native Spanish speaker. HSA has quick, personal customer service. Our family has been very pleased with our experience so far!”
– Erica P. Parent of 1
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Luis F. Domínguez is a freelance writer and independent journalist interested in travel, languages, art, books, history, philosophy, politics and sports. He has written for Fodor’s, Yahoo!, Sports Illustrated, Telemundo, and Villa Experience, among other brands of print and digital media in Europe and North America.