{"id":143224,"date":"2023-11-20T12:26:27","date_gmt":"2023-11-20T17:26:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/mexican-slang\/"},"modified":"2025-01-30T00:47:57","modified_gmt":"2025-01-30T05:47:57","slug":"mexican-slang","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/spanish\/mexican-slang\/","title":{"rendered":"90+ Mexican Slang Words and Expressions (with Audio and Examples)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Looking to have a huge head start when you travel to Mexico?<\/p>\n

You’ve gotta learn the slang.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In this post, I’m going to give you a brief introduction to the country’s unique version of Spanish\u2014and by the time we’re done, you’ll be better prepared to navigate a slang-filled conversation with Mexicans!<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Most Common Mexican Slang Words and Expressions<\/h2>\n

Mexican slang could be a language of its own.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Just a word of warning:<\/strong> some terms on this list may be considered rude and should be used with caution.<\/p>\n

1. \u00a1Qu\u00e9 padre!<\/em> \u2014 <\/em>Cool!<\/h3>\n

This phrase’s literal translation, “How father!”, doesn’t make much sense at all, but it can be understood to mean “cool!”<\/strong> or “awesome!”<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a1Consegu\u00ed entradas para Daddy Yankee! <\/em>(I got tickets for Daddy Yankee!)<\/p>\n

\u00a1Qu\u00e9 padre<\/strong>, g\u00fcey! <\/em>(Awesome, dude!)<\/p>\n

2. Me vale madre<\/em> \u2014 <\/em>I don’t care<\/h3>\n

This phrase is used to say “I don’t care.”\u00a0<\/strong>It’s not quite a curse, but it can be considered offensive in more formal situations.<\/p>\n

If used with the word que\u00a0<\/em>(that), remember you need to use the subjunctive<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Me vale madre<\/strong> lo que haga con su vida. <\/em>(I don’t care what he does with his life).<\/p>\n

3. Poca madre<\/em> \u2014 <\/em>Really cool<\/h3>\n

Literally translated as “little mother,” this phrase is used to describe something really cool.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Once again, this phrase can be considered offensive (and is mostly used among groups of young men).<\/p>\n

Esta canci\u00f3n est\u00e1 poca madre<\/strong>. <\/em>(This song is really cool).<\/p>\n

4. Fresa<\/em> \u2014 <\/em>Preppy<\/h3>\n

Literally a “strawberry,” a fresa<\/em> is not something you want to be.<\/p>\n

Somewhat similar to the word “preppy” in the United States<\/strong>, a fresa<\/em> is a young person from a wealthy family who’s self-centered, superficial and materialistic.<\/p>\n

Ella es una fresa.<\/strong> <\/strong><\/em>(She’s preppy\/rich\/stuck up).<\/p>\n

5. \u00a1Aguas!<\/em> \u2014\u00a0<\/em>Watch out!<\/h3>\n

This phrase is used throughout Mexico to mean “be careful!” <\/strong>or “look out!”<\/strong><\/p>\n

Literally meaning “waters,” it’s possible that this usage evolved from housewives throwing buckets of water to clean the sidewalks in front of their homes.<\/p>\n

\u00a1Aguas!\u00a0<\/strong>El piso est\u00e1 mojado. <\/em>(Be careful! The floor’s wet).<\/p>\n

6. En el bote<\/em> \u2014 <\/em>In jail<\/h3>\n

The word\u00a0bote\u00a0<\/em>means “can” (as in a can of soda).<\/p>\n

However, when a Mexican says someone is\u00a0“en el bote,”\u00a0<\/em>they mean someone is\u00a0“in the slammer,” “in jail.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adri\u00e1n no puede venir, \u00a1est\u00e1 en el bote<\/strong>! (Adrian can’t come, he’s in jail!)<\/p>\n

7. Estar crudo<\/em> \u2014 <\/em>To be hungover<\/h3>\n

Estar crudo\u00a0<\/em>means “to be raw,” as in food that hasn’t been cooked.<\/p>\n

However, if someone in Mexico tells you they’re crudo,<\/em> it means they’re hungover<\/strong> because they’ve drunk too much alcohol.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Estoy<\/strong> muy crudo<\/strong> hoy. <\/em>(I’m really hungover today).<\/p>\n

8. \u00a1A huevo!<\/em> \u2014 <\/em>**** yeah!<\/h3>\n

Huevos <\/em>(eggs) are often used to denote a specific part of the male anatomy<\/strong>\u2014you can probably guess which\u2014and they’re also used in a wide variety of slang phrases.<\/p>\n

\u00a1A huevo! <\/em>is a\u00a0vulgar way to show excitement or approval.<\/strong> Think “eff yeah!” without the self-censorship.<\/p>\n

\u00a1Ganamos el partido! <\/em>(We won the game!)<\/p>\n

\u00a1A huevo!<\/strong> Me alegra. (**** yeah! I’m glad)<\/p>\n

9. Chilango<\/em> \u2014 <\/em>Someone from Mexico City<\/h3>\n

This slang term means something, usually a person, who comes from Mexico City.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Calling someone a chilango<\/em> is saying that they’re representative of the culture of the city.<\/p>\n

\u00bfEres chilango<\/strong>? <\/em>(Are you from Mexico City?)<\/p>\n

10. Te crees muy muy<\/em> \u2014 <\/em>You think you’re something special<\/h3>\n

This literally means \u201cyou think you\u2019re very very\u201d but the slang meaning is more of \u201cyou think you\u2019re something special,\u201d\u00a0<\/strong>or “you think you’re all that.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

Often, this is used to power down someone who\u2019s boastful or thinks they’re better than anyone else.<\/p>\n

Te crees muy muy<\/strong> desde que conseguiste ese trabajo. <\/em>(You think you’re all that since you got that job).<\/p>\n

11. Ese<\/em> \u2014 <\/em>Dude<\/h3>\n

Supposedly, in the 1960s members of a Mexican gang called the Sure\u00f1os\u00a0<\/em>(“Southerners”) used to call each other “ese” <\/em>(after the first letter of the gang’s name).\u00a0<\/p>\n

However, in the ’80s, the word ese\u00a0<\/em>started to be used to refer to men in general, meaning something like “dude” <\/strong>or “dawg”.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It’s also possible\u00a0ese\u00a0<\/em>originated from expressions like\u00a0ese vato<\/em> (“that guy”), and from that, the word\u00a0ese <\/em>started to be used to refer to a man.<\/p>\n

“\u00bfQu\u00e9 pedo, ese<\/strong>?” <\/em>“What up, dawg?”<\/p>\n

12. Metiche<\/em> \u2014 <\/em>Busybody<\/h3>\n

Metiche <\/em>is a slang word for someone who loves to get the scoop on everyone\u2019s everything.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Some people would refer to this sort of person as a busybody!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00bfDe qu\u00e9 hablaste con tu amiga? (What did you talk about with your friend?)<\/p>\n

Nada, \u00a1no seas tan metiche<\/strong>! <\/em>(Nothing, don’t be such a busybody!)<\/p>\n

13. Pocho \/ Pocha<\/em> \u2014 <\/em>A Mexican who’s left Mexico<\/h3>\n

This Mexican slang term refers to a Mexican who’s left Mexico<\/strong> or someone who’s perhaps forgotten their Mexican roots or heritage.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It can be used as just an observatory expression, but also as a derogatory slang word used to point out that someone’s at fault for not remembering their heritage.<\/p>\n

Mis primos pochos<\/strong> vienen a visitar este fin de semana. <\/em>(My\u00a0pocho<\/em> cousins are coming to visit this weekend).<\/p>\n

14. Naco<\/em> \u2014 Tacky<\/h3>\n

Naco<\/em> is a word used to describe\u00a0someone or something <\/strong>poorly educated and bad-mannered.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The closest American equivalent would be “tacky” or “ghetto.”<\/p>\n

The word has its origins in insulting indigenous and poor people, so be careful with this word!<\/p>\n

Me parece un poco naco<\/strong>. <\/em>(It seems a bit tacky).<\/p>\n

15. Cholo<\/em> \u2014 <\/em>Mexican gangster<\/h3>\n

Although the word\u00a0cholo\u00a0<\/em>can have several meanings, it often refers to Mexican gangsters, <\/strong>especially Mexican American teens and youngsters who are in a street gang.<\/p>\n

Vi unos cholos<\/strong> en la esquina. <\/em>(I saw some gang members on the corner).<\/p>\n

16. G\u00fcey<\/em> \u2014 <\/em>Dude<\/h3>\n

This one is pronounced like the English word “way” and it’s one of the most quintessential Mexican slang words.<\/p>\n

Originally used to mean “a stupid person,” the word eventually morphed into a term of endearment similar to the English “dude.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a1Ap\u00farate, g\u00fcey<\/strong>! (Hurry up, dude!)<\/p>\n

17. Carnal<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 <\/em>Close friend<\/h3>\n

Carnal\u00a0<\/em>comes from Spanish\u00a0carne\u00a0<\/em>(meat).<\/p>\n

It’s perhaps for this reason that carnal\u00a0<\/em>is used to describe a close friend who’s like a sibling to you,<\/strong> carne de tu carne\u00a0<\/em>or flesh of your flesh.\u00a0<\/p>\n

All\u00ed est\u00e1 mi carnala<\/strong> Laura<\/em>. (There’s my close friend Laura).<\/p>\n

18. \u00bfNeta?<\/em> \u2014 <\/em>Really?<\/h3>\n

“Truth?” <\/strong>or “really?”<\/strong> is what someone\u2019s saying when they use this little word.<\/p>\n

This popular conversational interjection is used to fill a lull in the chatter or to give someone the opportunity to come clean on an exaggeration.<\/p>\n

Oftentimes, though, it\u2019s just said to express agreement with the last comment in a conversation\u00a0<\/strong>or to clarify something.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00bfNeta<\/strong>? Pero \u00bfqu\u00e9 pas\u00f3? <\/em>(Really? But what happened?)<\/p>\n

19. Eso que ni que<\/em> \u2014\u00a0<\/em>I agree<\/h3>\n

Don’t try to translate this literally\u2014just know that this convenient phrase means that you’re in agreement<\/strong> with whatever\u2019s being discussed.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Es muy bueno para bailar. <\/em>(He’s really good at dancing).<\/p>\n

S\u00ed, baila mejor que todos, eso que ni que<\/strong>. <\/em>(Yes, he dances better than everyone, no doubt about it).<\/p>\n

20. Ahorita<\/em> \u2014 <\/em>Right now<\/h3>\n

This translates as \u201clittle now\u201d but the small word means right now, or at this very moment.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a1Tenemos que irnos ahorita<\/strong>! <\/em>(We have to leave right now!)<\/p>\n

21. Ni modo<\/em> \u2014 <\/em>Whatever<\/h3>\n

Ni modo<\/em>, which can be literally translated as “not way” or “either way,” is possibly one of the most popular Mexican expressions.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It’s\u00a0generally used to say “eh, whatever” <\/strong>or “it is what it is.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ni modo\u00a0<\/em>can also be used with\u00a0que\u00a0<\/em>(that) and a present subjunctive to say you can’t do something at the moment or there’s no way you’d do it.<\/p>\n

It’s like saying “there’s no way” or “are you nuts?” <\/strong>in English.<\/p>\n

Ni modo<\/strong>, hay mejores chicas\/chicos en el mundo. <\/em>(Oh well, there are better girls\/guys in the world)<\/p>\n

Ni modo<\/strong> que conteste, g\u00fcey. <\/em>(There’s no way I’m answering, man).<\/p>\n

22. No hay tos<\/em> \u2014 <\/em>No problem<\/h3>\n

No hay tos\u00a0<\/em>literally means “there’s no cough,” but it’s used to say “no problem” or “don’t worry about it.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lo siento, me olvid\u00e9 mi billetera. \u00bfTienes plata? <\/em>(Sorry, I forgot my wallet. Do you have cash?)<\/p>\n

No, pero no hay tos<\/strong>, comamos en la casa. <\/em>(No, but no problem, let’s eat at home).<\/p>\n

23. Sale<\/em> \u2014 <\/em>Okay, sure<\/h3>\n

Sale\u00a0<\/em>means “okay,” “sure,” “yeah” <\/strong>or “let’s do it,”\u00a0<\/strong>so it’s normally used in situations when someone suggests doing something and you agree.<\/p>\n

It can also be used as a question tag when you want someone’s opinion or to see if they’re on the same page as you.<\/p>\n

\u00bfVamos al concierto? (Shall we go to the concert?)<\/p>\n

Sale<\/strong>, pero tendr\u00e1s que prestarme lana. <\/em>(Sure, but you’ll have to lend me some money.)<\/p>\n

24. Coda \/ Codo<\/em> \u2014 <\/em>Someone who’s cheap<\/h3>\n

Codo <\/em>literally means \u201celbow\u201d in English but Mexican slang has turned it into a term used to describe someone who’s cheap.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It can be applied to either gender, so pay attention to the -a or -o ending of this descriptive noun.<\/p>\n

\u00a1Ese codo<\/strong> ni pag\u00f3 la cena! (That cheapskate didn’t even pay for dinner!)<\/p>\n

25. Tener feria<\/em> \u2014 <\/em>To have money\/change<\/h3>\n

Feria <\/em>means \u201cfair\u201d so the literal translation of this expression is \u201cto have or be fair.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, feria<\/em> also refers to coins when it\u2019s used in Mexico. So, the phrase basically means \u201cto have money\u201d <\/strong>or \u201cto have pocket change.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00bfTienes feria<\/strong>? <\/em>(Do you have money?).<\/p>\n

26. Buena onda<\/em> \u2014 <\/em>Good vibes<\/h3>\n

Buena onda<\/em> literally translates to \u201cgood wave\u201d but it\u2019s used to indicate that there are good vibes or a good energy<\/strong> present.<\/p>\n

Tienes buena onda<\/strong>. <\/em>(You give off good vibes).\u00a0<\/p>\n

27. \u00bfQu\u00e9 onda?<\/em> \u2014 <\/em>What’s up?<\/h3>\n

This slangy Mexican expression translates to \u201cwhat wave?\u201d but is a cool way to ask \u201cwhat\u2019s up?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s another feel-good, casual conversational expression that really adds a lot of good feelings to any chat.<\/p>\n

\u00bfQu\u00e9 onda<\/strong>? \u00bfC\u00f3mo has estado? <\/em>(What’s up? How have you been?)<\/p>\n

28. \u00a1Viva M\u00e9xico!<\/em> \u2014 <\/em>Long live Mexico!<\/h3>\n

\u00a1Viva M\u00e9xico!<\/em> literally means \u201clong live Mexico!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

It’s the unifying phrase that says the country should grow, prosper and see happy times for its citizens and visitors.<\/p>\n

It’s often shortened to \u201c\u00a1viva!\u201d<\/em> which means the same as the full phrase.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a1Ganamos el mundial! \u00a1Viva M\u00e9xico<\/strong>! <\/em>(We won the world cup! Long live Mexico!)<\/p>\n

29. P<\/em>endejo<\/em> \u2014 <\/em>Jerk<\/h3>\n

Pendejo <\/em>is one of those magical words that appear in almost every Spanish variety but have a different meaning depending on where you are.<\/p>\n

In Mexico, it has a rather rude meaning: “unpleasant or stupid person,” “jerk.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

No me hables, pendejo<\/strong>. <\/em>(Don’t talk to me, jerk).<\/p>\n

30. C<\/em>abr\u00f3n<\/em> \u2014 <\/em>Mean, not very smart, awesome<\/h3>\n

While technically cabr\u00f3n<\/em> means “big [male] goat,” it has plenty of other meanings.<\/p>\n

Used as a rude word its meaning is quite similar to pendejo,<\/em> but cabr\u00f3n\u00a0<\/em>is higher in the rudeness scale: meaning unpleasant, mean or not very bright.<\/strong><\/p>\n

But change the tone a bit and you might, instead, be saying someone is\u00a0awesome!<\/strong><\/p>\n

The word can even be used in place of the f-bomb, very often following bien\u2014<\/em>very, to mean you’re really awesome at doing something.<\/p>\n

Soy bien cabr\u00f3n<\/strong> jugando a Minecraft. <\/em>(I’m friggin’ awesome at playing Minecraft).<\/p>\n

31. P<\/em>edo<\/em> \u2014 <\/em>Drunk, problem<\/h3>\n

A\u00a0pedo\u00a0<\/em>is a fart, literally.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This word has lots of different meanings, depending on how you say it and the situation:<\/p>\n