Explore Mexican everyday vocabulary and clearly labeled informal expressions.
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Mexican Spanish food vocabulary
These words are used in Mexico, though many also occur in neighboring countries. Jitomate commonly names the red tomato in central Mexico; usage varies within the country.
Compare everyday ingredients with vegetables in Spanish. Regional alternatives in practice remain valid Spanish.
el elotecorn on the cob (Mexico) · el eh-LOH-teh
el ejotegreen bean (Mexico) · el eh-HOH-teh
el jitomatered tomato (central Mexico) · el hee-toh-MAH-teh
el aguacateavocado (Mexico) · el ah-gwah-KAH-teh
el guajoloteturkey (Mexico) · el gwah-hoh-LOH-teh
el cacahuatepeanut (Mexico) · el kah-kah-WAH-teh
la calabacitazucchini (Mexico) · lah kah-lah-bah-SEE-tah
el chícharopea (Mexico) · el CHEE-chah-roh
el popotedrinking straw (Mexico) · el poh-POH-teh
la botanasnack (Mexico) · lah boh-TAH-nah
Mexican Spanish words for clothes and objects
Playera is a T-shirt and chamarra a jacket. Tenis can name sneakers, with los tenis referring to the pair.
Camión can mean bus in Mexico as well as truck; the prompt selects the bus sense. Other regions and Mexican cities may prefer autobús.
la playeraT-shirt (Mexico) · lah plah-YEH-rah
la chamarrajacket (Mexico) · lah chah-MAH-rrah
los tenissneakers (Mexico) · lohs TEH-nees
la cajuelacar trunk (Mexico) · lah kah-HWEH-lah
la banquetasidewalk (Mexico) · lah bahn-KEH-tah
el camiónbus (Mexico regional) · el kah-MYOHN
el carrocar (Mexico) · el KAH-rroh
la plumaballpoint pen (Mexico) · lah PLOO-mah
la computadoracomputer (Mexico) · lah kohm-poo-tah-DOH-rah
la engrapadorastapler (Mexico) · lah ehn-grah-pah-DOH-rah
Mexican slang with meanings and register
Chamba, cuate and chido are informal; they suit familiar conversation better than formal documents. Escuincle can sound dismissive, depending on tone.
Ahorita does not guarantee immediately. It can mean right now, very soon or a less precise later time, so context and follow-up questions matter.
la chambajob (Mexico informal) · lah CHAHM-bah
el chavoyoung person (Mexico informal) · el CHAH-boh
el cuatefriend (Mexico informal) · el KWAH-teh
el escuinclekid (Mexico informal) · el ehs-KWEEN-kleh
chidocool (Mexico informal) · CHEE-doh
padregreat (Mexico informal) · PAH-dreh
óralecome on! (Mexico interjection) · OH-rah-leh
híjolewow! (Mexico interjection) · EE-hoh-leh
ahoritaright now or soon (Mexico) · ah-oh-REE-tah
la lanamoney (Mexico informal) · lah LAH-nah
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Mexican Spanish Words: the full list
Review the meanings and pronunciation, then use the printable worksheet to recall each Spanish answer.
Quick answer:corn on the cob (Mexico) is el elote, green bean (Mexico) is el ejote, red tomato (central Mexico) is el jitomate, avocado (Mexico) is el aguacate, turkey (Mexico) is el guajolote, peanut (Mexico) is el cacahuate, zucchini (Mexico) is la calabacita, pea (Mexico) is el chícharo, drinking straw (Mexico) is el popote, and snack (Mexico) is la botana.
