Below is a list of Mexican Spanish words that you’re unlikely to hear in other countries, with an example sentence for each.
1. Achicopalarse – To become discouraged or depressed
Example: No te achicopales. – Don’t be discouraged.
2. Apapachar – To hug
Example: Ven, déjame apapacharte, te ves triste. – Come here, let me give you a hug, you look sad.
3. Camión – Bus
In standard Spanish, “camión” means “truck”.
Example: Ya se me fue el camión, voy a llegar tarde. – My bus has already left, I’m going to be late.
4. Chafa – Bad/Poor quality
Example: Me vendieron un reloj chafa que no sirve. – They sold me a crappy watch that doesn’t work.
5. Chido – Very good/cool
Example: Está bien chido – It’s really cool.
6. Chilango/a – Person from Mexico City
Example: Mi prima es chilanga, vive en la Roma. – My cousin is from Mexico City, she lives in Roma (a neighborhood in Mexico City).
7. Chilpayate/a – Small child
Example: Ese chilpayate no deja de correr por todos lados. – That kid doesn’t stop running everywhere.
8. Chingón – Excellent or talented
Example: Ese vato es bien chingón para la carpintería. – That guy is really good at carpentry.
9. Codo/a – Stingy
Example: Esa coda no comparte ni una papa. – That stingy woman won’t even share a potato.
10. Cuate/a – Friend
Example: Es mi cuate. – He/she is my friend.
11. Desmadre – Disorder/mes/chaos
Example: Esa fiesta fue un desmadre total. – That party was total chaos.
12. Fresa – Stuck-up or superficial
Note that in standard Spanish, “fresa” means “strawberry”.
Example: Ese niño fresa habla con acento como de Miami. – That stuck-up kid speaks with an accent like he’s from Miami.
13. Gacho/a – Ugly, bad, unpleasant or unfair
Example: Tu actitud está bien gacha. – Your attitude is really bad.
14. Güey (also spelled “wey”) – Guy/man
Example: Ese güey siempre llega tarde a clase. – That guy is always late to class.
15. Jefe/a – Dad/Mom
Note that in standard Spanish jefa/jefe means “boss”
Example: Voy a pedirle permiso a mi jefa para salir. – I’m going to ask my mom’s permission to go out.
16. Lana – Money
Example: No tengo lana, ¿me prestas para el camión? – I don’t have any money. Can you lend me some for the bus?
17. Naco/a – Lower class or stupid
Example: Ese tipo es bien naco, se metió sin hacer fila. – That guy is a real idiot, he got in without waiting in line.
18. Neta – True/truth
Example: La neta, no me gustó la película. – To be honest, I didn’t like the movie.
19. Órale – Come on
This word can have a range of meanings including “do it!”, “hurry up!”, “come on” and “okay”.
Example: Órale, pues vámonos ya antes de que llueva. – Come on, let’s go now before it rains.
20. Tamalear – To eat or prepare tamales
Example: Mi tía tamalea todos los domingos para vender. – My aunt makes tamales every Sunday to sell.
21. Troca – Truck (from English “truck”)
Example: Mi tío tiene una troca Ford enorme. – My uncle has a huge Ford truck.
22. Vato – Guy/Young man
Example: Ese vato me ayudó a cambiar la llanta en plena lluvia. – That guy helped me change the tire in the rain.
