10 colloquial expressions in Mexican Spanish to sound like a local - Justlearn (2023)

FAQs

10 colloquial expressions in Mexican Spanish to sound like a local - Justlearn? ›

The common verbal greeting is “Buenos dias” (Good day), “Buenas tardes” (Good afternoon) or “Buenas noches” (Good evening/night) depending on the time of day. A more casual greeting is “Hola” (Hello), “¿Qué tal?” (What's up?) or “¿Cómo estás?” (How are you?).

The common verbal greeting is “Buenos dias” (Good day), “Buenas tardes” (Good afternoon) or “Buenas noches” (Good evening/night) depending on the time of day. A more casual greeting is “Hola” (Hello), “¿Qué tal?” (What's up?) or “¿Cómo estás?” (How are you?).

“¿Qué pedo?” is a very Mexican way of saying, “What's up?” (It's another way of saying “¿Qué onda?”) You can say it to a friend, just asking how life is going.

Instead of using muchacho or muchacha or niño or niña, try out the Mexican slang term for “boy” or “girl,” which is chango or changa.

Hey, Hey man or Hi

You can use “hey” and “hi” to greet someone instead of “hello.” Both are particularly popular among younger people. While “hi” is appropriate to use in any casual situation, “hey” is for people who have already met.

hot girl {noun}

ricura {f} [LAm.]

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.

Que onda in Spanish is a way friends and family welcome each other in an informal situation. Remember, if you're using que onda as a greeting, it should be with someone you already know or in a casual scenario. Que onda is not acceptable in formal or elegant situations.

What is the slang word for pee in Spanish? ›

(vulgar) [pɪs ] (= urine) meados (vulg) mpl. (= act) meada (vulg) f.

Chupar (literally to lick or to suck) and pistear are both slang for “to drink.” El chupe and el pisto are the nouns, so they refer to “the drinks.” Chupar and chupe are used in the center and south of Mexico, while pistear and pisto are more common in the north.

Wey (güey) means bro or dude, but it can also be a general word for guy. A lot of young people have incorporated it into their vocabulary and even use it as a transition word, like the English use “like”. “y tipo wey, estaba allí, y me miró…”

The word güera is, in Chicano and Mexican-Spanish slang, a term for a white girl.

The Spanish Verb for “to Flirt”: Coquetear

There are several verbs to say “to flirt” in Spanish, but the most common one is coquetear.

Mi amor

Mi amor is one of the most common terms of endearment in Spanish. Mi amor means “my love” in English.

Some examples of informal colloquialisms can include words (such as “y'all” or “gonna” or "wanna"), phrases (such as "old as the hills" and "graveyard dead"), or sometimes even an entire aphorism ("There's more than one way to skin a cat" and "He needs to step up to the plate.").

1, 2. Colloquial, conversational, informal refer to types of speech or to usages not on a formal level. Colloquial is often mistakenly used with a connotation of disapproval, as if it meant “vulgar” or “bad” or “incorrect” usage, whereas it is merely a familiar style used in speaking and writing.

Hi is equivalent to hello, but it is considered a little bit more informal in tone. In fact, it was recorded a lot earlier than hello. Hi developed from the Middle English hy, similar to hey and ha.

Follow their lead when it comes to greetings: a handshake for the father, but most likely it is a kiss on the cheek and a hug for the mother. Even if you're not personally introduced to everyone in the room, make sure you acknowledge everyone even if it's just by waving and saying “buenos días” or “buenas tardes”…

What are 3 greetings that give a time of day in Spanish? ›

big girl {feminine}

grandullón {m} [coll.]

Claim your inner "chingona", a Spanish term for "badass woman"

Naco (fem. naca) is a pejorative word often used in Mexican Spanish that may be translated into English as "low-class", "uncultured", "vulgar" or "uncivilized ". A naco (Spanish: [ˈnako] ( listen)) is usually associated with lower socio-economic classes.

The gang has allegiance to the CA prison gang, Mexican Mafia, aka “La Eme”. Sureños identify with “13”, “XIII”, “X3”, the letter “M” - 13th letter in the alphabet - as homage to the Mexican Mafia.

Papi (ito) / mami (ita)

Some Hispanic parents refer to their children as “papi” or “papito” and “mami” or “mamita”, especially in their childhood years.

Spanish-speaking social media users have pointed out that “chupa” literally means “suck” or “to suck”. The trailer actually addresses the word's meaning, with one character pointing out that Alex's nickname for the chupacabra means “sucker”, suggesting it could be interpreted as “bad”.

The word "vato" is a slang term that is often used to refer to a man or a guy in Spanish-speaking communities. It can be used in a variety of contexts, ranging from casual and informal to derogatory and disrespectful.

No mames is crude Spanish slang used to express disbelief (both positive and negative) or excitement. Used especially among Mexican Spanish speakers, the exclamation corresponds to “No way!”, “You're kidding me!”, or “Stop messing with me!”.

How do you say pee in Mexico? ›

(hypocoristic, slang) To urinate.

Moctezuma's revenge is a colloquial term for travelers' diarrhea contracted in Mexico.

Darling: Mi Amor: My Love

This term of endearment is very common, use “darling” with your girl, boy, or even a friend. Mi amor is used in everyday situations.

If you're studying Spanish, you probably know that amigo is the word for 'friend.

The word camarada (comrade), can be used practically in every Spanish-speaking country to refer to your friends and pals, informally.

Say “hermosa mujer.” This means “beautiful woman” in Spanish. To say “beautiful girl,” you would say "niña hermosa."

What does white girl mean? White girl is just another name for young Caucasian females … but it often stereotypes them as vapid materialists. The term white girl is also slang for cocaine. Related words: whooty.

kiludo {adj.}

What to say to a Spanish girl to turn her on? ›

Mi vida: “My life”

Greetings. Greetings in Moroccan culture are more formal, yet very warm and welcoming. Moroccans will say “salaam alykum” (hello) to everyone, even in large gatherings and they'll ask about your health and the wellbeing of your family and children.

When greeting someone in Mexico, it is customary to make physical contact, rather than simply saying “hello.” A handshake is the most common form of greeting between strangers, though friends will usually greet each other with a single kiss on the cheek. The same physical gestures are repeated when you say goodbye.

Mexicans are sociable, friendly and warm. The standard greeting for men or women is a handshake, although this may extend to a hug between men or a kiss on the cheek between women.

Article 14 within Mexican law states: “The civil salute to the Mexican Flag will be done in a straight position, putting the right hand extended over the breast, with the palm facing down to where the heart is located. The male people will salute the flag with the head uncovered.”

Double cheek kissing

In Spain, people greet each other and say goodbye with a kiss on each cheek. Don't be mistaken - these aren't wet, sloppy kisses! In fact, these aren't really proper kisses at all. People usually touch their right cheeks together and make a kissing sound, then repeat the process on the left side.

If in passing someone says “hola!” to you, it would acceptable to reply: “como estas?”

Italians, Croatians and Hungarians usually kiss twice in a greeting and in Mexico and Belgium only one kiss is necessary. In Ecuador, women kiss on the right cheek only and in Oman it is not unusual for men to kiss one another on the nose after a handshake.

thumbs up and thumbs down; one palm outward (both meanings, “stop” and “talk to the hand”); curling the index finger (“come here”); fingers crossed, but only the version in front of the person.

How can I be polite in Mexico? ›

Good morning is buenos días.

gracias. Gracias is used just like “thank you” in English. But, there will be occasions when you will wish to express gratitude in a more polite and obvious manner, and then you should use the expression muchas gracias.

In Mexico, after a death, a vigil is held with family and friends for 24-48 hours. They will eat and drink together, and guests will pray and bring the family gifts. The deceased will be buried with their clothing and important possessions. Children will be included from a young age.

Pronounced as sah-loo, it is used to honor someone and wish them good health during a Spanish toast. This phrase can be used in any type of situation where a toast is to be had.