Mexico is one of the most popular vacation destinations on offer, with around 20 million tourists visiting per year. Didn’t it instantly remind you of beaches and museums, and of course, food? If you’re planning to visit this country, you gotta know a few Mexican-Spanish slang terms. As such, Buzzle brings you a list of Mexican slang words and phrases.
Mexicans make up the largest Spanish speaking group in the world, with an approximate 92.17% considering Spanish as their first language.
Mexico doesn’t have an official de jure language. They have a diverse lingual reputation. They speak in European languages as well as languages indigenous to the Mesoamerican culture. Its national languages include 62 indigenous Amerindian languages, along with Spanish. English is considered the second language of Mexico. Besides Spanish and English, Mexican-Spanish is used majorly in both, the Spanish speaking and the English speaking world, due to the regional proximity between Mexico and America. Mexican-Spanish is distinct; it has a different set of dialect, tone, and syntax.
Culture has a lot of influence on the language spoken by people residing there. Mexican culture, again, has a complex history. They can be called a blend of Spanish and indigenous cultures.
Learning Spanish or Mexican-Spanish from scratch can be a tedious task. It’s not like people inhabiting Mexico don’t understand Argetines. But there are variations, when words used in one place aren’t used in another. Slang is an informal use of language. If you’re planning to roam on the streets of Mexico, you need to know the ‘street’ language. So, we give you some commonly used phrases and slang terms used in Mexico, along with their meaning, to help you blend in better.
Commonly Used Mexican Terms and Expressions
| ¿Qué onda? What’s up? |
Eso que ni qué No doubt about it |
| Estoy crudo I’m hung over |
¿Tienes feria? Do you have money? |
| No tiene dos dedos de frente He’s not the sharpest tool in the shed |
Qué estás haciendo güey What going on bro? |
| ¡No manches! Unbelievable |
Chela Beer, Brewskey |
| ¡ORALE! Right on; go for it |
Güey Dude |
| Hijole Wow, my goodness |
Chido Cool |
| Pinche Damn |
Mande Excuse me, ask what, tell me |
| No Manches No way |
Neta Really? |
| La neta Truth |
Chamba Job, Work |
| Codo Elbow; cheap person |
Feria Carnival |
| Chafa Cheap, low quality |
Chingadera Piece of crap |
| Muy muy Very very self-obsessed |
Lana Money |
| Camión Bus |
Cabrón Word used for a close friend |
| Padre Father; good |
Madre Mother; bad |
| Hasta la madre Sick of something |
Aguas Water |
| Ahorita Soon, In a minute |
¡híjole! Wow; Oh my God! |
| Mamacita A hot woman |
Tipo Guy |
| Sanjina Bad-tempered girl |
Pispireto A flirt |
| Pinchar To flirt |
Aguas Water |
Mexican-Spanish Phrases
| Chécalo, güey Check it out, dude |
¡Qué burro eres! You’re such a dummy! |
| ¡Qué chamaco más lindo! What a sweet little boy! |
Tú, animal, ¡vamos! Dude, let’s go! |
With these Mexican slang words and phrases along with their meanings in your kitty, you’ll be better equipped to find your way around when you visit Mexico or have friends from there visit you.
