Mexican Slang Terms
Table of Contents
1) Mexican Spanish: A true amalgamation
2) What is Mexican Slang?
3) What are some Mexican Slang Words and Phrases?
4) Mexican Jargon
5) More Mexican Words, Please!
mexican slang terms

Mexican Spanish: A true amalgamation

Spanish is spoken in over 20 nations around the world; nonetheless Mexican Spanish is quite different from the Spanish spoken in the Iberian Peninsula.

Crudo. Mames. There are a number of Mexican terms that can be considered slang. Some are even crude (don’t say pinche unless you really mean it!). Mexican slang is also very different from Spanish slang, as it’s localized to Latin America.

There are some easy ones — huevo, or huevos, means balls — obviously not a literal translation but something you’ve likely heard if you’ve spent time in Mexico especially in big cities (in Spain, as well). Mexican slang terms can generally be used across the country — pedo is fart in both Mexico City and Oaxaca.

A perfect example is the ‘Tú vs. Usted’ dilemma.

Mexicans have a peculiar fashion when it comes to the pronoun ‘you’ (second-person singular) as there are two practices utilized in Mexican society: an informal and a formal approach.

The informal manner –tú is used for family, friends, and other close relations; whereas the formal –usted is used as a show of respect, status or seniority to address older people, providers of public services, individuals higher in rank or strangers at the grocery line.

If you are traveling to Mexico is important to know when to apply each one when it comes to how to learn Spanish.

What is Mexican Slang?

mexican words

Mexican slang is formed by a group of phrases and specific words restricted to a particular context, place, or group of people.

These words, catchy phrases, old sayings, flirty expressions, and other figures of speech are usually regarded as an informal way of communication but they show through their letters the shades and characters of the people that make use of them.

Thus in Mexico each social sphere has its own slang.

Additionally, even though it is more common to spot slang in spoken language it make its way to the written word, especially in entertainment magazines, online publications such as blogs, and printed advertisements.

In this way, it is likely that each magazine category will draw on a unique jargon, namely a technical terminology precise to that industry or niche market.

For instance, a Teens Magazine may exploit the word –fresa (which literally translates to strawberry) to refer to posh girls and fancy outfits.

What are some Mexican Slang Words and Phrases?

Below you will find examples of Mexican slang words and phrases.

Mexican Slang Phrases:

mexican slang terms

Most Common Mexican Slang Words:

Mexican Words to Describe People:

Mexican Jargon

mexican slang

As mentioned before, jargon encompasses a vocabulary specific to a context.

  1. At the Office:

The following list relates to employees and their daily tasks.

If you are keen to submerge yourself into the deep waters of Mexican working life slang you may enjoy watching the Mexican film Mirreyes vs. Godínez.

Football soccer is the national sport of Mexico enjoying a huge fan base.

Try listening to a football match commentary to tune in your ear or read the sports news to get acquainted with general Mexican slang and Mexican sports jargon.

More Mexican Words, Please!

Finally, there is a long list of old sayings (refranes) and flirty phrases (piropos), which can be flattering or offensive, but these deserve their own space.

list of old sayings (refranes) and flirty phrases (piropos), which can be flattering or offensive, but these deserve their own space.

To learn more about Mexican slang (and the entire language as a whole), grab our FREE Spanish Survival Crash Course. We’ll send Spanish-learning material including study guides, audio lessons, and more straight to your inbox:



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