Almost every language and dialect has its own slang. Mexican Spanish is no different. This got me thinking, which are the best Mexican slang words you can use?
Mexican Spanish is currently the largest Spanish dialect spoken, contributing to Spanish being one of the most spoken languages in the world.
In some ways, Mexican and European Spanish are incredibly similar. In others, they are completely different!
15. Chido – Cool
Almost every language and dialect has some word to describe how cool something is. In Mexican Spanish, their slang term is chido, being one of the most used slang terms in all of Mexico!
Unlike most other Mexican slang words, chido has no real literal meaning. Instead, it likely came from Asturian (another language spoken on the Iberian Peninsular) and was adopted by Mexicans into their vocabulary.
More often than not, chido is used to describe objects and things, rather than people. However, the term can be used to describe people as well, although this is more often than not done by using another word…
Example:
Mexican Spanish: 1) Mira este 2) ¡Que chido!
English: 1) Look at this! 2) Cool!
14. Padre – Cool
The alternative to chido is padre. In almost every circumstance, padre and chido can be used interchangeably. Due in part to American-made movies and TV shows, padre has become quite well known.
When you were learning Spanish, you were probably taught that padre means father. In Mexican Spanish, it has the same meaning. However, in Mexican slang, it is used to say that something is “Cool”.
In many ways, padre is the Mexican Spanish equivalent of the Peninsular Spanish slang term güey. This term is also used in Mexican slang, although is more akin to “dude” or “bro” in English.
Example:
Mexican Spanish: 1) Mira este 2) ¡Que padre!
English: 1) Look at this! 2) Cool!
13. Fresa – Snobby
Most languages have a term to describe someone who is annoying, but look down on you, as if they are better than you. In Mexican Spanish, this term is fresa, perhaps the oddest slang word in Mexican Spanish!
When you learned Spanish at school, you were probably taught that fresa means strawberry. And yes, it does. However, in slang, it more often than not translates to mean “stuck up” or “snob”.
As such, the term fresa is more often than not used as an insult rather than as an adjective. Mexicans primarily use the term to describe someone who makes the same as them, yet pretends to be of a higher class, even when they aren’t.
Example:
Mexican Spanish: 1) ¡Está que te mueres! 2) Es fresa
English: 1) It’s to die for! 2) She’s such a snob!
12. Gacho – Not cool
Gacho is one of the few Mexican slang words to have more than two meanings. In fact, depending on the context, it can have three completely different meanings!
Literally, gacho means something along the lines of “slouch” or “droop”. However, in a slang context, gacho can be used in the same way feo is- ugly. In one of its other contexts, it can be used in place of malo– general badness.
However, its most common slang meaning is something akin to “boring” or “not cool”. Where Mexicans would use padre or chido to say that something is cool, for something that isn’t, they’d probably use gacho!
Example:
Mexican Spanish: ¡No gacho! ¡Déjalos ir al parque!
English: Don’t be boring! Let them go to the park!
11. Pendejo – A**hole
Pendejo is perhaps the most famous Mexican slang word, thanks to it being used in popular American TV shows. Depending on the context, it can be the equivalent of “oh no” to swearing, akin to “f*ck”.
Literally, pendejo means “pubic hair” however is most commonly used to call someone or something stupid. In many ways, pendejo is akin to the British slang term “Arse”.
As with slang in other languages, pendejo is also used between friends. If a friend says something mildly silly or annoying, you can call them a pendejo. The term is also used in most other Latin American countries too!
Example:
Mexican Spanish: 1) [Dice algo grosero] 2) Pendejo
English: 1) [Says something rude] 2) A**hole
10. Cabrón – B!tch
The other Mexican slang term for someone who is annoying or stupid is cabrón. In most situations, cabrón and the aforementioned pendejo can be used interchangeably, however, naturally this isn’t always the case.
Literally, cabrón is the term for a male goat. However, in slang, it can be used in any number of ways, with almost all of them being incredibly rude. Depending on the context, it can mean “B!tch”, “F*cker” and/or “A**hole”.
With that being said, many in Mexico have likewise turned it into a positive term… somewhat. They use the term in the same way that you’d “F*cking” (in a non-sexual way), ie. to say you really f*cking good/bad at something.
Example:
Mexican Spanish: 1) [Dice algo grosero] 2) Cabrón
English: 1) [Says something rude] 2) F*ck off!
9. Chinga tu madre – Go f*ck your mother
Every language has a phrase that tells someone that they are annoying you, and if they don’t stop, you’re going to do something that you both regret. In Mexico, chinga tu madre is that phrase.
Literally, chinga tu madre translates as “Go f*ck your mother” but can also be used in the sense of “Go f*ck yourself”. Depending on how you say it, you could also argue that it translates as “Go away, you’re annoying me”.
This is one that you should use with extreme caution. Depending on the tone and who you say it to, it might get you into a lot of trouble, or a fight. Nevertheless, it can be used as an extreme or as friendly banter.
Example:
Mexican Spanish: 1) [Dice algo grosero] 2) Chinga tu madre
English: 1) [Says something rude] 2) F*ck off!
8. Metiche – Nosy
Absolutely nobody likes someone who gets involved in others people’s business. Most languages have their own slang term for someone like this, for Mexican slang, this is metiche.
Before a few years ago, metiche wasn’t really that common. However, a few years ago, Mexicans began to take several Italian slang terms and make them their own. One of these was metiche.
Instead of changing the meaning as they’d done to others, the Mexicans chose to keep it. Since then, someone who gets involved in something that is of no concern to them is known as a metiche.
Example:
Mexican Spanish: Hay demasiados metiches en mi trabajo, no los soporto
English: There are so many nosy people at my job, I hate them
7. Crudo – Hangover
Hispanics are well known for their drinking culture, with food and drink being an integral part of their culture. Each dialect has their own unique term for a hangover, Mexican Spanish is no different.
Literally, crudo translates as “raw” (as in “raw meat” or “raw fish” etc.) However, in slang terms, crudo is used to talk about a hangover, or describe how hungover you are.
With that being said, to describe yourself as being drunk also has a slang term in itself. This term is pedo, literally meaning “fart”, but is used to describe you feeling the effects of alcohol. Some people use pedo and crudo interchangeably.
Example:
Mexican Spanish: 1) Tengo dolor de cabeza 2) Es el crudo
English: 1) I have a really bad headache 2) It’s from the hangover
6. Buena onda – Good vibes
The term buena onda is one of the most unique slang terms I have ever come across! Nevertheless, buena onda is still one of the most used Mexican slang terms!
Literally, an onda is a wave or a ripple (usually describing water). However, it has been reinvented in recent years to mean something akin to “Vibes”. This, combined with buena (good), translates as “Good vibes”.
Buena onda is most commonly used to describe a place where you feel really relaxed and enjoy going to. The term is also used to describe a person with the same qualities.
Example:
Mexican Spanish: 1) Tengo buena onda de ti 2) Gracias wey
English: 1) I get good vibes about you 2) Thanks man
5. Cholo – Gangster
Today, Mexico is mired in controversy regarding its drug cartels, seemingly ruling the country. Many Mexican teenagers join these cartels in hopes of a better life for them and their family, but rarely do so.
Many of the teenagers who don’t join these cartels have mixed feelings about them- some like them, others don’t. But, they both use the term cholo to describe their peers who join these cartels.
Cholo has no real meaning, having been taken from a local indigenous language. However, its closest English equivalent is gangster, roughly akin to oklm in French slang (although this is more cool than typical gangster).
Example:
Mexican Spanish: 1) Es Cholo 2) Sí, tengo buena onda
English: 1) He’s a gangster 2) Yes, I get good vibes from him
4. Naco – Unsophisticated
Mexican Spanish, as with most other languages and dialects, has a slang word to describe someone who is tacky or has a generally poor attitude. Generally, they act less sophisticated than the average member of society.
In many ways, naco is akin to the American slang term “Basic” which also means unsophisticated or rather stupid. However, the usage of the term differs slightly (naco is used for both genders whereas basic is mostly female).
However, I must caution you when using naco. Originally, the term was a racial one, describing someone with indigenous heritage, so using it with older generations with native heritage may see you get into a little trouble.
Example:
Mexican Spanish: 1) Es naco 2) Lo sé
English: 1) He’s unsophisticated 2) I know
3. ¡A poco! – No way!
Sometimes, someone says something that seems completely absurd or untruthful. Chances are, that you are going to have some form of reaction to this, mostly out of astonishment. The Mexicans use ¡A poco! to do this.
Literally, poco translates as “little bit” or, depending on the context, just “little”. However, when used in a slang context, and with the addition of a, it can mean “No way!”
¡A poco! is used in the same context that you’d use the Chinese slang term 没门儿 (pronounced: méi mén er). In fact, if Mexican Spanish is translated into Chinese, ¡A poco! is often translated as 没门儿 and vice-versa.
Example:
Mexican Spanish: 1) Ella me besó 2) ¡A poco!
English: Then, she kissed me 2) No way!
2. ¿La neta? – Really?
Sometimes, however, what someone says doesn’t seem like they are telling the truth whatsoever. So, instead of showing amazement, you show skepticism, to do this, the Mexicans use ¿La neta?
Literally, neta translates as “net”, with the added la meaning “the”. However, when used in a slang context, it is used in the same way that you’d use “Really?” or “Is that the truth?” in English.
Generally, it is used to question whether someone is telling the truth, although, can be used similarly to ¡A poco! as astonishment. ¿La neta? is the Mexican equivalent of ¿La verdad? used in Peninsular Spanish.
Example:
Mexican Spanish: 1) Ella me besó 2) ¿La neta?
English: 1) Then, she kissed me 2) Really?
1. ¡Órale! – Wow!
Another way that you can express amazement in Mexican slang is by using ¡Órale! Instead of being used to question or just to show slight amazement, ¡Órale! is much more sincere.
Technically, ¡Órale! has no actual meaning. However, in Mexico, and for the most part in the United States, it is used to say how impressed you are with something. It is usually translated as “Wow” although can be used to say “hell yeah!”
Many older generations also use ¡Órale! too. However, this is used in a slightly different context, usually as a confirmation, something akin to “OK” or “Yes” in English. Although, many do use it to express amazement too.
Example:
Mexican Spanish: 1) ¡Órale! ¡Como has hecho tanto trabajo! 2) No lo sé
English: 1) Wow! How did you do so much work? 2) I don’t know
Which are your favorite Mexican slang words? Tell me in the comments!