Greetings and Basic Phrases in Mexican Spanish

Mexican Spanish is a language full of cultural and historical richness, thanks to its great diversity and depth. While it shares the same grammatical foundations as other Spanish dialects, Mexican Spanish has unique characteristics that make it extra special and appealing to learners.

In this article, we’ll explore some basic elements to help you understand and enjoy Mexican Spanish: common greetings, popular sayings filled with wisdom, fun colloquialisms, beautiful words with deep cultural significance, and even a brief introduction to Mexican Sign Language (LSM). Get ready for a fascinating linguistic journey!

Common Greetings and Farewells in Mexican Spanish

When you start learning a new language, greetings and farewells are the first steps to communicate and feel comfortable. In Mexico, these phrases will be very useful for interacting with others warmly and kindly:

• ¡Hola, ¿cómo estás? (Hello, how are you?)- The most general and basic way to greet and start a conversation.
• ¿Cómo andas? (How are you doing?) - Similar to "¿Cómo estás?", but more relaxed.
• ¡Buenas! (Good!) - A shortened version of "Buenos días/tardes/noches” (Good morning/afternoon/night)
• ¡Qué onda! (What's up!) - A very casual greeting for friends.
• ¿Qué rollo? (What's up?) - Casual and friendly, common among young people.
• ¡Quihubo! / ¡Quiúbole! - An informal and friendly greeting, like "What’s up?"
• ¡Qué tranza! - Another colloquial and urban greeting used informally.
• ¡Eyyy! - A friendly shout to grab someone’s attention.
• ¡Qué milagro! (What a miracle!) - Used to greet someone you haven’t seen in a long time.
• ¡Qué show! (What's up!) - Very colloquial, used among young people.

Besides “adiós,” (goodbye) you can use these common phrases to say goodbye:

• ¡Nos vemos! - Informal, meaning "See you."
• ¡Ahí nos vidrios! - A playful twist on "Nos vemos."
• ¡Hasta luego! (Se you later!)- Neutral, for future encounters.
• ¡Que te vaya bien! (May you do well!)- Another way to say goodbye in a kind and considerate way.
• ¡Hasta mañana! (See you tomorrow!) - When you expect to see someone the next day.
• ¡Cuídate! (Take care!)- Affectionate, wishing someone well.
• ¡Hasta pronto! (See you soon!) - General farewell, intending to see the person soon.
• ¡Vámonos! (Let's go!) - Used to say it’s time to go.
• ¡Nos estamos viendo! (We are seeing each other!) - Similar to "Nos vemos," but with more emphasis on the future.
• ¡Bye! - Borrowed from English, very common in Mexico.

In addition to these greetings and farewells, phrases like "¿Cómo te va?" or "¡Qué gusto verte!" reflect genuine interest in others. Using these expressions will not only help you communicate effectively, but also show your interest and respect for Mexican culture. 

And don’t forget: a smile is a key part of communication!

25 Basic Phrases in Mexican Spanish

Beyond greetings and farewells, there are common expressions that are helpful for getting around in Mexico more casually. Here are some of the most basic:

1. ¡Órale! - Expression of surprise or agreement, like "Wow!" or "Okay!"
2. ¡Qué padre! - Expression of enthusiasm, like "How cool!"
3. ¡No manches! - Expression of surprise or disbelief, like "I can’t believe it!"
4. Está chido - Used to say something is cool or fine.
5. Está cañón - Refers to something difficult or impressive.
6. No hay bronca - Means "No problem" or "It’s all good."
7. ¿Qué pedo? - Very informal, used among close friends to ask what’s up or how someone is doing.
8. Me late - Used to say you like something or agree.
9. Te la rifaste - Means someone did a great job.
10. De poca madre - Very colloquial and informal, used to describe something incredible or excellent.
11. ¡Qué chingón! - An informal way to say that something is amazing.
12. ¡Aguas! - Although it literally translates to “Waters!” it’s actually used to warn someone of danger or to be careful.
13. Ni modo - Expresses resignation, like "Nothing can be done."
14. ¡A huevo! - An informal expression that denotes certainty or agreement, like "For sure!"
15. Qué bárbaro/a - Expresses surprise or amazement at something impressive.
16. Me agarraste en curva - Means someone caught you off guard.
17. ¡Te pasaste! - Can mean someone did something incredible (positively or negatively).
18. Qué cura/curado - It is used to refer to something that is amusing or cute.
19. Sacar la sopa - It means to get someone to confess something important.
20. No te hagas pato - It is used to tell someone to pay attention or stop avoiding a situation.
21. ¡Qué hueva! - This informal phrase is used when you are feeling too lazy to do something.
22. Estoy crudo/a - Means you’re hungover from drinking the night before.
23. Me chamaquearon - Means someone tricked you or took advantage of your naivety.
24. No te agüites - Means "Don’t be sad" or "Don’t worry."
25. Estar en la luna - Means someone is distracted or daydreaming.

These are just a few of the hundreds of expressions that Mexicans use on a daily basis, especially in more casual contexts with friends or family. Practicing and using them with confidence will make you feel more integrated and comfortable when communicating if you ever visit this country.

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25 colloquial words in Mexican Spanish

Mexican Spanish has a wide range of colloquial vocabulary that makes the language vibrant and fun. These words are used in informal contexts and are key to sounding more natural when speaking. Some examples include:

1. Güey (/gway/) - One of the most iconic words in Mexican Spanish. It's commonly used to refer to a friend or buddy, or sometimes to call someone "silly" in certain contexts. It's similar to saying "dude" in English.
2. Chido (/chee-doh/) - Used to say that something is cool or awesome.
3. Neta (/neh-tah/) - Means "truth" or "reality."
4. Chamba (/chahm-bah/) - Means "work" or "job."
5. Arre (/ah-reh/) - An expression used to agree with something or to say "let's go."
6. Bronca (/brohn-kah/) – Means "problem" or "conflict."
7. Chafa (/chah-fah/) – Used to refer to something that has poor quality or that doesn't work well.
8. Lana (/lah-nah/) - Means "money."
9. Pichar (/pee-chahr/) - Used when we buy something for someone else.
10. Bache (/bah-cheh/) – It refers to a hole or pit in the street.
11. Chin (/cheen/) - Used to express annoyance or surprise.
12. Metiche (/meh-tee-cheh/) – A person who gets too involved in other people's business.
13. Cuate (/kwah-teh/) - Used to refer to a close friend or buddy.
14. Fresa (/frehs-ah/) - While it literally means “strawberry” (the fruit) it is also colloquially used to describe someone who is snobbish, sophisticated, or has a wealthy lifestyle.
15. Codo (/koh-doh/) - Refers to a person who is stingy or doesn't like to spend money.
16. Naco (/nah-koh/) – Refers to a person with bad taste or vulgar preferences.
17. Chamaco/a (/chah-mah-koh/ah/) – A child or young person.
18. Gacho (/gah-choh/) - Used to describe something unpleasant.
19. Mero (/meh-roh/) - Means "exactly" or "precisely," used to emphasize something.
20. Pachanga (/pah-chahn-gah/) – A lively party or gathering.
21. Chela (/cheh-lah/) - Means "beer."
22. Peda (/peh-dah/) - Refers to a party where alcohol is involved or to the state of being drunk.
23. Mecate (/meh-kah-teh/) – A thick rope or cord.
24. Cursi (/koor-see/) – Refers to someone who is overly romantic or cheesy.
25. Changarrito (/chahn-gah-ree-toh/) – A small food stand or shop.

The more colloquial words you master, the better you'll understand Mexican Spanish in daily use, and it will help you feel more confident in social settings. Learning these expressions will also allow you to enjoy Mexican movies, music, and TV shows more authentically.

5 popular Mexican proverbs

Proverbs are jewels of language that encapsulate the popular wisdom of a people. In Mexico, proverbs are an essential part of many everyday conversations and often reflect cultural values ​​and teachings. Here are some popular examples:

• “Más vale tarde que nunca.” (“Better late than never.”) 
  This proverb reminds us that it is always better to act, even if it is late, than not to act at all.
• “El que madruga, Dios lo ayuda.” (“He who gets up early, God helps him.”) 
  It highlights the importance of being hard-working and making the most of the day early. Mexico has a culture where hard work is highly valued, which makes this proverb carry great weight.
• “Camarón que se duerme, se lo lleva la corriente.” (“The shrimp that sleeps, is carried away by the current.”) 
  It is a proverb that warns us about the dangers of laziness and lack of attention. It is an invitation to be alert and prepared so as not to miss good opportunities.
• “Al mal tiempo, buena cara.” (“In bad times good face.”) 
  This proverb inspires us to maintain a positive attitude even in the most difficult times.
• “El que con lobos anda, a aullar se enseña.” (“He who walks with wolves, learns to howl.”) 
  It talks about how the people we surround ourselves with can influence our behavior and values ​​(for better or worse).

Incorporating these kind of proverbs into your conversations will help you better understand the Mexican mentality and connect with people in a deeper way. They also serve as a great way to add a touch of wisdom and humor to your daily interactions.

Beautiful Words from Mexican Spanish

Mexican Spanish has many words that stand out for their phonetic beauty and the deep cultural meaning they carry with them. Let’s see some examples:

1. Apapacho (/ah-pah-pah-choh/) - A word of Nahuatl origin that means "to caress the soul." It represents a gesture of deep and sincere affection, something that goes beyond a hug.
2. Milpa (/meel-pah/) - This term describes a field of corn, a central food in the Mexican diet and culture. More than just a crop, the milpa is a symbol of life and community.
3. Chocolate (/choh-koh-lah-teh/) - While it is one of the most popular and emblematic foods in the world, not many know that the word “chocolate” actually has its roots in Nahuatl, the language spoken by the Mexica (Aztecs) and other indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica.
4. Xoloitzcuintle (/sho-loh-eets-kweent-leh/) - The name of a Mexican dog breed that has deep historical and spiritual meaning. These dogs were considered guides to the afterlife in the Mexica worldview.
5. Cempasúchil (/sehm-pah-soo-cheel/) - This is the flower used in Día de Muertos celebrations, it symbolizes life and death and has an unmistakable aroma that guides the spirits.

These words are not only aesthetic, but also convey the stories and values ​​of a nation.

Basics of Mexican Sign Language (LSM)

Mexican Sign Language or Lenguaje de Señas Mexicano (LSM) is an essential form of communication used by the deaf community in Mexico. Here are some basics you can learn today:

• “Hola” (“Hello”): Place your right hand with the palm facing forward, at the level of your forehead, and make a semicircular movement outwards. It is a gesture similar to shaking hands.
• “Gracias” (“Thank you”): Place your right hand with the palm facing your chest and make a forward movement, as if offering something.
• “Por favor” (“Please”): Place your right hand with the palm facing up and your fingers together, and make a circular movement in the air, in front of your body.
• “¿Cómo estás?” (“How are you?”): This sign is made up of two parts. First, to say “cómo”, place both hands with the palms facing up and make small alternating circular movements. And, to say “estás”, point with your index finger at the person you are asking.
• “Adiós” (“Goodbye”): Place your right hand with the palm facing forward and make a back-and-forth movement, as if waving goodbye.

Mastering these basic signs will not only allow you to communicate better with people in the deaf community, but it will also help you be part of a more inclusive and diverse world.

Conclusion

Mexican Spanish is much more than just a language; it's a living expression of history, culture, and the heart of the Mexican people.

Whether you're a beginner or have some experience, diving into this fascinating linguistic world will enrich you both culturally and emotionally. Remember to strengthen your new skills with daily lessons from the Promova app, and nothing will stop you!