Learn Mexican slang with our Ultimate Guide! From “guey” to “chafa,” learn the essential words and phrases to immerse yourself in Mexican culture.
The vibrant Mexican culture extends beyond their traditional food and famous tequila. It’s reflected in their colloquial language, too! If you’re planning an escapade to Mexico, it’s essential to equip yourself with the local lingo to engage with the locals and truly immerse yourself in their culture. So, let’s dive into the captivating world of Mexican slang!
Check out my other guides to Spanish slang:
- 20 Great Ways to Say What’s Up in Spanish Slang
- Ultimate Guide to the best Mexican Slang
- How to Say 30 Words that Mean Cool in Spanish Slang Guide
- How to Say “Pretty” in Spanish Slang + Examples
- How to say Fat in Spanish Slang Guide
- 30 Ways to Say Beautiful in Spanish + Spanish Slang & Examples
- 7 Ways to Say Good In Spanish + Examples & Slang Terms
- 30 Ways to Say Beautiful in Spanish + Spanish Slang & Examples
- How to Say Funny in Spanish Slang + Examples
- The 30 Words That Mean Cool in Spanish Slang
1. Guey
Guey as a Friend
“Guey” is a ubiquitous term in Mexican slang, comparable to “dude” or “mate” in English. It’s used predominantly among friends and acquaintances. For instance, “Mira guey, ¿salimos hoy o que?” translates to “Hey dude, shall we go out today?”
Guey as an Insult
However, the term also carries a negative connotation when used sarcastically towards strangers, hinting at their perceived stupidity. It’s important to gauge the context before using “guey” to avoid potential miscommunication.
2. Neta
“Neta” is another widely used slang term in Mexico. It translates to “the honest truth” or “for real.”
Neta as an Assertion
“Neta” can be used to assert the truthfulness of a statement. For example, “Neta, fue dificil llegar a tiempo,” translates to “Honestly, it was difficult getting here on time.”
Neta as a Question
“Neta” can also be used to question the authenticity of a statement. For instance, if someone shares an unbelievable event, you might respond with “¿Neta?” which translates to “For real?”
3. No Manches & No Mames
“No manches” and “No mames” are Mexican expressions expressing disbelief or surprise. They translate to “Really?” or “Are you kidding?” in English. These phrases are used interchangeably, although “No mames” is somewhat more audacious, similar to “damn” in English.
4. ¡Órale!
“¡Órale!” is a multipurpose slang term in Mexico. It’s used to express awe, agreement, enthusiasm, and even to accentuate orders. For instance, “¡Órale! ¿Y tu desde cuando trabajas tanto?” means “Wow, since when do you work so much?”
5. ¡Aguas!
Despite its literal translation to “waters”, “¡Aguas!” in Mexican slang is a warning phrase similar to “Watch out!” in English. It’s used to alert someone about a potential danger or hazard.
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6. Pinche
“Pinche” is a versatile Mexican slang term used to intensify the word that follows. It’s somewhat similar to the use of “bloody” in British English or “freaking” in American English. For instance, “Fue un pinche pedo llegar a tiempo,” translates to “It was a real hassle getting here on time.”
7. Chido
“Chido” is a popular Mexican slang word denoting something cool or appealing. It can be applied to people, objects, or situations. For example, “¿Oye, Rodrigo podra venir con nosotros al centro?” “Si, bro. Rodrigo es chido,” translates to “Hey, can Rodrigo come with us to the centro?” “Yeah, bro. Rodrigo’s cool.”
8. No Hay Bronca
“No hay bronca” is a phrase used to express that everything is fine, or there’s no problem. For instance, “Oye, bro. ¿Me haces un paro? ¿Me llevas al doctor mañana?” “Claro, no hay bronca,” translates to “Hey, bro. Will you do me a favor? Will you take me to the doctor tomorrow?” “Sure, no problem.”
9. Chavo or Chava
“Chavo” or “Chava” are colloquial terms for children, teenagers, or young adults, similar to “kid” in English. For example, “El chavo sigue en el colegio, deberia buscarlo,” translates to “The boy is still in school, I should pick him up.”
10. Naco
“Naco” is a Mexican slang term for individuals with a tacky or poor attitude, seen as less sophisticated than an average person. Think of it as the equivalent of “ghetto” in English. For instance, “Naaah, te ves muy naco con eso, mejor cambiate,” translates to “Nah, you look really trashy with that, better change.”
11. Fresa
“Fresa” directly translates to “strawberry”, but in Mexican slang, it’s used to describe someone snobbish or pretentious. These individuals are usually from the upper class, well-educated, and often obsessed with fashion. For instance, “Sabes que no me gusta salir con hombres como el, es demasiado fresa,” translates to “You know I don’t like going out with men like him, he’s way too stuck up.”
12. Chicano
“Chicano” is a term used to describe Mexicans born in the United States or those who migrated from Mexico at a young age. For example, “Hay una poblacion bastante grande de Chicanos en Los Angeles,” translates to “There is a very large population of Chicanos in Los Angeles.”
13. Cholo
“Cholo” is a term often used in the southwest of the US, typically referring to Mexican gangsters with a distinct look, including big white shirts, black baggy shorts, and shaved heads. For example, “Tengo algunos primos cholos, pero prefiero no meterme en eso,” translates to “I have a few cholo cousins, but I’d rather not get involved with that.”
14. Metiche
“Metiche” refers to someone who tends to meddle in other people’s business. A metiche is not necessarily a gossipmonger, but they enjoy keeping tabs on everyone’s affairs. For example, “Hay demasiados metiches en mi trabajo, no los soporto,” translates to “There are too many nosy people at my job, I can’t stand them.”
15. Tocayo
“Tocayo” is a nickname given to anyone who shares your first name. For example, “Ahi va el tocayo,” translates to “There goes my tocayo.”
16. Prieto
“Prieto” is a term used in Mexico to describe someone with darker skin. While it may seem racially charged to English speakers, it’s considered non-offensive Mexican slang. For instance, “¿Recuerdas quien es Daniel? Mi amigo prieto, estuvo aca el otro dia,” translates to “Remember who Daniel is? My dark-skinned friend, he was here the other day.”
17. Vieja
“Vieja”, which translates to “old lady”, is a term used affectionately to refer to one’s mother in Mexican slang. For instance, “Tengo que visitar a la vieja de vez en cuando, y darle algun regalito,” translates to “I have to visit my mother from time to time, and give her some little present.”
18. Padre
“Padre”, which literally translates to “father”, is slang for “cool” in Mexico. For instance, “Esta bien padre ese juego, ¿como se llama?” translates to “That game looks really cool, what’s it called?”
19. Chela
“Chela” or “cheve” are colloquial terms for beer in Mexico. The term originates from a beer cocktail known as a “michelada”. For instance, “Dame dos chelas para mi y mi compadre,” translates to “Give me two beers for me and my buddy.”
20. Pomo
“Pomo” is a slang term for a bottle of any kind of alcoholic beverage, be it vodka or tequila. For instance, “Las chelas no van a alcanzar para todo el mundo, hay que abrir un pomo,” translates to “Beers won’t be enough for everyone, we have to open a bottle.”
21. Malacopa
“Malacopa” refers to a person who gets intoxicated easily or quickly. We all have that one friend who’s a lightweight, right? For instance, “Creo que el pomo no hacia falta, estos son muy malacopa,” translates to “I think the bottle wasn’t even necessary, these guys are extreme lightweights.”
22. Crudo
“Crudo” is the term for a hangover in Mexican slang. The inevitable result of being a “malacopa”! For instance, “Esta mañana amaneci crudo,” translates to “I woke up with a hangover today.”
23. Cantina
In Mexico, “cantina” is a colloquial term for a bar. For instance, “Hoy no tengo ganas de ir a la cantina, vayan ustedes,” translates to “I don’t feel like going to the bar tonight, you guys can go.”
24. Pedo
“Pedo” is a versatile term in Mexican slang with three primary uses. It can mean a fart, being drunk, or a problem. For instance, “No pense que fuesen a volver tan pedos wey,” translates to “I didn’t think you’d come home so drunk, man.”
25. Chamba
“Chamba” is a term used to describe a hard and demanding job or an unpleasant situation. Essentially, it’s something you wouldn’t want to be stuck in for too long. For instance, “Mañana tengo que volver a mi chamba wey, o me despiden,” translates to “I have to go back to my job tomorrow man, or I’ll get fired.”
26. Changarro
“Changarro” is a term for small, family-owned businesses, akin to a mom-and-pop store. For example, “Ve al changarro ese y ve si tienen algunos dulces,” translates to “Go to that store and see if they have any kind of candy.”
27. Chafa
“Chafa” is a term for something of very low quality, disappointing, or likely to trigger frustration. For instance, “Esa camisa esta chafa,” translates to “That t-shirt is bad quality (or fake).”
28. Varos
“Varos” is a slang term for money and can replace the word “pesos”. It’s similar to “bucks” in English. For instance, “Me pagaron esta semana, puedo poner unos cuantos varos mas para la pizza,” translates to “I got paid this week, I can contribute a few more bucks for the pizza.”
29. Refresco
“Refresco” is commonly used slang for sodas of any kind. For instance, “¿Quieres beber refresco o te sirvo algo mas?” translates to “Do you want to drink some soda or should I serve you something else?”
30. Paro
“Paro” simply means a favor, and it’s used quite frequently. For instance, “¿Me puedes hacer un paro y recordarme eso?” translates to “Can you do me a favor and remind me of that?”
Conclusion
Mastering these Mexican slang words and phrases will not only enhance your Spanish speaking skills but will also provide you with a richer cultural experience during your travel to Mexico. These colloquial terms will help you communicate effectively with the locals, making your interactions more enjoyable and authentic. Remember, the key to learning any new language is practice and immersion. So, get out there, use these terms, and start conversing like a true Mexican!
FAQ – Mexican Slang
As a travel blog focused on Mexico, we have extensively researched and compiled a comprehensive guide to Mexican slang. We aim to provide you with a thorough understanding of the most commonly used slang terms in Mexico.
In Mexican slang, “sa” is a contraction of the word “sabe,” which means “to know” or “to understand.” It is often used to ask if someone knows or understands something. For example, “¿Sa qué pedo?” translates to “Do you know what’s up?”
“¿Dónde está la peda?” is a Mexican slang expression that translates to “Where is the party?” It is commonly used to inquire about the location of a social gathering or event.
In Mexican slang, “fregar” is a versatile term that can mean different things depending on the context. It can be used to convey the idea of bothering, annoying, or messing with someone or something. It can also mean to work hard or to be in a difficult situation. Its meaning can vary based on the specific usage.
In Mexican slang, people from rural or countryside areas are often referred to as “pueblerinos” or “rancheros.” These terms are used to describe individuals from small towns or rural communities in Mexico.
“Chachitos” is not a commonly used term in Mexican slang, and its meaning may vary depending on the region or specific context. It could potentially be a regional or informal variation of another slang term, but it does not have a widely recognized meaning in Mexican slang.
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