Mexican Spanish - Lexicon

Lexicon

Mexican Spanish retains a number of words that are considered archaic in Spain.

Also, there are a number of words widely used in Mexico which have Nahuatl, Mayan or other native origins, in particular names for flora, fauna and toponyms. Some of these words are used in most, or all, Spanish-speaking countries, like chocolate and aguacate (avocado), and some are only used in Mexico. An example of the latter would be guajolote, for "turkey" (although pavo is also used, as in other Spanish-speaking countries) which comes from the Nahuatl huaxōlōtl . Other examples would be papalote for "kite", from the Nahuatl pāpālōtl for "butterfly"; and jitomate for "tomato" from the Nahuatl xītomatl (see List of Spanish words of Nahuatl origin for a more complete list). Other usages that are unique to Mexican Spanish include:

• Pelo chino means curly hair. The word chino derives from the Spanish word cochino, meaning "pig". The phrase referenced the casta known as chino which was an Indian and African mix whose hair was curly. This term is sometimes mistakenly thought to derive from the word chino meaning "Chinese".
• Chichis means teats from the Nahuatl word for breasts chīchīhualli .
• "¿Mande?" (Roughly translated, a formal "(you) order?"; from mandar, 'to order'). Also used as an equivalent to "(beg your) pardon?"
• The use of "¿Qué?" ("What?") on its own is sometimes considered impolite, unless it is accompanied by a verb: "¿Qué dijiste?" ("What did you say?") or "¿Qué pasó?" ("What happened?"). Otherwise "¿Cómo?" ("How?") is preferred.
• Ahorita: Literally "right now", used to say something should happen within an indeterminate, largely context-dependent period of time.
• Chingadera : any unspecified object (considered vulgar), damned as in damned thing.
• Chingar: to screw/ruin/rob/steal/fuck/work/eat (vulgar), approaches the versatility of the English term "fuck" in Spanish. Considered vulgar.
• "¿Cómo (la) ves?": Literally "How do you see (it)?", means "What do you think (about something)?"
• "Escuincle" From the Nahuatl word for dog itzcuīntli, used to refer to a bratty child. Can be used in plural "escuincles"
• Bronca: Literally "aggressive woman or girl or wild female animal", commonly used amongst young people; means "fight" or "problem". Also can mean just "wild, untame", as for example unpasteurised milk is referred to "leche bronca", i.e. wild milk.
• Güey' "Wey" or "Buey":(Literally, "ox") Dude, guy, but also used as "dumb", "asinine", "moron", etc. NOT to be confused with "Huey" from the Aztec title "Huey Tlatoani", in which "Huey" is a term of reverence.
• Güero: light-haired person (blond). Not considered offensive.
• Naco A boorish and/or uneducated person (pejorative).
• Órale: similar to the English expression "Wow". It is sometimes used instead of "Okay."
• "¿Qué onda?" (literally, "What's the vibe"?) is commonly used as a "What's up?"
• Padre: Literally "father," used as an adjective to denote something being "cool", attractive, good, fun, etc.: "Esta música está muy padre." ("This music is really cool."). Chido is also used for the same intention.
• Pinche: Literally means "kitchen assistant". Used as "fucking" (vulgar): "Quita tu pinche cara de aquí." ("Take your fucking face away from here.")
• Pedo: Literally "fart", used for the same or when there is a problem as in "Hay un pedo", or it can mean "situation" as in the greeting "¿Qué pedo güey?" ("What's the situation dude?"). It can also mean "drunk", and "estar pedo" means "to be drunk". A "peda" is a party or reunion with significant amounts of alcohol and also refers to the state of drunkenness.
• Popote: (drinking) straw from the Nahuatl word for a plant for making brooms or a straw popōtl
• En un momento.Literally means "in a moment". Usually used as "hold on a second" or "one moment".
• Hablar: Used instead of llamar in the sense of "call" (on the telephone).
• Chavo(a)/Chamaco(a)/Chilpayate all refer to a child, teen, or youngster. Huerco(a), Morro(a) are used in the northern parts of the country. All these terms but Chilpayate are usually found in their diminutives: Chavito(a), Chamaquito(a), Huerquito(a), Morrito(a).
• Este: Literally, "this." Used in Mexican Spanish as a filler word, similar to "um" or "you know" in American English.