While on your language journey you may have noticed that sometimes books, apps and even teachers have some discrepancies in Spanish vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. The Spanish language varies between Spain and Mexico, and even between Mexico and other Latin American countries but we have pulled together some handy points to look out for.

Vocabulary

Getting the vocab right for the country you’re visiting can make the difference between being understood and embarking on a quick game of charades. Here are a few of the most common differences between Mexican Spanish and Spain Spanish vocabulary.

English Mexican Spanish Spain Spanish

Glasses/Eye Glasses Lentes Gafas

Computer Computadora Ordenador Cake Pastel Torta

Pen Lapicero Bolígrafo

Potato Papa Patatas

Lime Limon Lima

Car Carro Coche

To turn Doblar Girar

Apartment Departamento Piso

Nice to meet you Mucho gusto Encantado(a)

Native Language Words

Mexico is a hugely diverse country with a rich pre-Hispanic culture and history and because of this there are words in the Spanish language which directly derive from the Nahuatl, Yucatec Maya, and other indigenous cultures.  Words which are said to have pre-Hispanic Mexican origins include:

• Cenote (from the Yucatec Maya word ts’onot meaning underground water or sink hole)

• Aguacate (avocado)

• Chipotle

• Cacahuate (peanut)

• Mole (from the Náhuatl word molli meaning sauce)

• Nopal (cactus)

• Chicle (chewing gum)

• Mapache (racoon) 

• Pibil (from Yucatec Maya language meaning to roast underground, it is a pre-Hispanic cooking technique still used today)

Pronunciation

Ce, Ci, Ze and ZiOne of the biggest pronunciation differences between the two languages is the pronunciation of c’s and z’s when before an e or I e.g. ce, ci, ze and zi. These are “s” sounds in Mexico and an almost lisp-like “th” sound in Spain. For example:

Mexican Spanish Spain Spanish

Gracias (Thank you) Gra-si-as Gra-thi-as

Cerveza (Beer) Ser-ve-sa Ther-be-tha

B and VIn Spain both B’s and V’s are pronounced like the English B whereas in Mexico and other Latin American Countries the V sound is pronounced more like a hybrid between the English V and English B and tends to have a softer sound than the Spanish and can be a little easier to differentiate between the letters when you’re first starting out. G and JSpain Spanish tends to be a bit more guttural, with Mexican Spanish a little softer. Spain Spanish’s hard ’g’s and ‘j’s come from the back of the throat more; kind of like you’re a cat coughing up a hairball. In Mexico ’g’s and ‘j’s are pronounced more like the English ‘h’. 

Vosotros/Ustedes

In Mexican and Spain Spanish, there are two forms of the second-person singular tu (informal) and usted (formal). The formal version, usted, uses the same conjugations as the third-person (he/she) singular. e.g. Usted va al mercado. You [formal] go to the market. or El va al mercado. He goes to the market.

In Mexico, there is only one form of second-person plural, ustedes, used for both formal and informal communication. e.g. Ustedes van al mercado. You [pl] go to the market. In Spain, there are two forms for the second-person plural: vosotros(informal) and ustedes (formal). e.g. Vosotros van al mercado. You [informal pl] go to the market. or Ustedes van al mercado. You [formal pl] go to the market. Let us know if this was helpful! If you’re looking to learn more, check out our online Spanish classes.

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The best way to experience the Mexican lifestyle is in person, with a Na’atik Immersion experience. Not only do you live with a local Mexican-Maya family, sharing home-cooked meals and free time, but also receive expert instruction in your chosen language at our school. Best of all, every immersion experience helps fund our subsidized and free local education program, helping local students to access opportunities and make their own futures.