Mexican Slang Words
Do you have some Mexican friends you want to impress? Or do you want to know the best slang words for your next trip to Mexico? These Mexican slang words with translations and examples will have you speaking like the locals in no time.
Be careful which words you use, and when you use them. Some slang can be very offensive. There are quite a few swear words (omitted from this article) in Mexico which could get you in trouble. When speaking to strangers, especially elders or authoritative figures, it’s always best to speak without the use of slang.
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Ahuevo! – Awesome! For sure! Used to show excitement or agreement
Aguas!! – Look out!! If you hear someone yell out ‘Aguas!!‘, they’re telling you something is about to hit you, or “quick, get out of the way!”
Andale – Hurry up! or to confirm/agree. ‘Andale!!‘ Hurry up. The shop is just around the corner… ‘Ahhh si, andele‘
Camara – Right on, for sure!
Carnal – Best friend, like a brother. You can also use Cuate and Compa.
Chafa – Something that’s of poor quality or cheap.
Chambear – To work. No tengo chamba… I don’t have any work. Necesito encontrar chamba para ganar lana… I need to find work to earn some money. Estoy en la chamba.. I’m at work
Chela – Beer. ‘Quieres una chela?’ Do you want a beer? (this is also regional, and may not be understood in all of Mexico – Oaxaca is somewhere that uses Chelas frequently).
Chulo/Chula – This means “pretty man” or “pretty woman” – used amicably amongst friends, it is often used as a compliment. You shouldn’t throw it around too loosely around strangers though.
Chavo/Chava – This can mean boy/girl or young man/young woman – though quite informal, it would usually be used when talking about people you know.
Chido/Chida – This is used to describe something that is “cool” or “awesome”. It gets used quite a lot.
Chingon – The informal/cool way to say something is awesome, the best or super good. ‘Es chingon‘ It’s awesome. Use this only with close friends. It can also be used as or considered a swear word.
Chisme – Gossip. Cuales son los chismes? What’s the gossip?
Codo/a – Someone who doesn’t like spending money. ‘No seas codo‘, Don’t be tight. ‘El es tan codo!‘, he is so tight! Or you can just tap your elbow a few times and that will mean codo/tight as well. And you’ll get a few laughs from the locals because you know what that gesture means :-)
Crudo/Cruda – This translates to something that is raw. It is commonly used to describe being hungover. You will likely use if you plan on partying in Mexico and feeling a bit rough the next day. ‘Estoy crudo. Tomé desmasiado anoche‘ I’m hungover. I drank too much last night.
Desmadre – When something is a complete disaster/mess/chaos/wild. It has both positive and negative meanings. ‘La fiesta fue un desmadre‘ The party was wild. ‘Fue un desmadre conseguir la visa.‘ It was a complete disaster to get the visa. ‘Tu cuarto es un desmadre‘ Your room is an utter mess.
Fresa – This literally translates to “strawberry”, but is used to talk about someone who is a bit upper-class, stuck up, snob or who thinks they are a bit better than everyone else. Someone who wears fancy clothes, or eats at fancy restaurants, or criticizes people lesser than them, may be referred to as a fresa. ‘Ella es muy fresa‘. She is very stuck up.
Mande – “Repeat that”. This is commonly used when you didn’t hear what someone said to you.
Híjole – “Holy cow!!” or “OMG”. Híjole, it’s getting late.
Huevón/a – Someone who is super lazy. Only use this with good friends.
Lana – Slang for money.
Neta!! – The truth. You can use it as a question.. Neta?? Really?? or when someone doesn’t believe you, like I’m telling the truth… Neta!!
Nimodo – That’s the way it goes / Yeah, but oh well / What can you do?! “Pues si, pero ni modo” would be “Well yeah, but what can we do?”
No hay bronca – No problem, don’t worry about it.
No manches!! – “No way!” or “You can’t be serious!” If someone tells you something incredible or bad has happened, or a story you don’t believe, you will say ‘No manches!‘
Orale – Has many meanings, but the most common are Lets do it now/Hurry up/Amazing/OMG. It all depends how you express the word. If you say it with force its ‘hurry up’. If you say it casual, or stretch it out, it’ll mean ‘amazing’. Ooooraleeee, amazing.
Pedo – This one is a little cruder. It literally translates to fart but it is used in many different ways. It is a very informal word and only to be used with people you know very well. For example, ‘Que pedo?’ What’s up?/ How’s it going? Usually used as ‘Que pedo wey‘. ‘No hay pedo‘ No problem/no worries. ‘Estoy muy pedo wey‘ I’m very drunk.
A poco – No kidding / That’s unbelievable / Wow, you don’t say / Are you serious?
Porfis – Is a corny way of saying please (Por favor). More like pretty please.
Que padre – That’s awesome/really good. If someone tells you some good news or shows you something good. Say, ‘Que Padre‘. Could also say ‘Que chido‘ but only with good friends.
Que onda – How’s it going? What’s up? The most popular way to say ‘how’s it going’ with friends. Can also use ‘Que tal?’
Que oso – “How embarrassing!”
Sale – To agree or to confirm. Pronounced sa-lay.
Simon – “Yes man!” or “Right on dude!”
Tengo hueva – “I’m feeling lazy” or “I’ve got no energy.”
Wey/Güey – Means dude/bro. The number one slang word used mainly with men and younger (teenage) boys and girls. You will hear this word everywhere on the streets and in bars with locals. “How’s it going wey?” “What are you doing tonight wey?” “No wey, you can’t do that wey.” “You’re crazy wey.” It really gets used a lot… though some people feel it is a little lower class to hear it (perhaps the same as someone saying “dude”).
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Now you’re up to speed with the most common Mexican slang words and phrases. There are plenty more, though perhaps a bit too crude for this post.
If I missed any other Mexican slang words you know of, let me know in the comments and I can add them in.
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If you want to test your Spanish skills out, try some of our tours in Mexico to get fully immersed! You’ll be joined by a bilingual English/Spanish speaking private tour guide who can translate as much (or as little) of the tour for you as you want – and could be a great, and fun way to learn about the culture, while also practicing your Spanish!! Check out some of our most popular tours in Mexico below:
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Be sure to brush up on your Spanish before you go to Mexico, and learn the slang from there!
Mexican Travel Resources
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