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Do you want to learn Mexican Spanish?. Then pay attention to the expressions they say when they talk. Even people from Spain won’t understand most of them. If you already can speak a little Spanish, perhaps you have realized that it can change a little from one Spanish speaking country to another. As in all countries, each culture has its own expressions, which are not always understood in other parts of the world, even if the same language is spoken.

And when we talk about the Spanish of Mexico, believe me, this gets complicated. Mexico is a vast country with a large number of inhabitants and a plurality of cultures, so there are many Mexican expressions that are used to speak informally, on a day-to-day basis, that you should know if you don’t want to feel lost when you are in a conversation with other people.

Mexican expressions are often difficult to understand for people from other countries, even for Spanish people who also speak Spanish. This is because Mexican expressions often involve words that are not used in their literal sense, and also because many Mexican sayings are used with euphemisms or allusions to express ideas.

Best part is that people from Mexico is characterized by its sense of humor and creativity, being this reflected in how they speak and the phrases and rhetoric they use. Many times these Mexicans sayings will not make any sense if you try to translate them. And some expressions also have a context and a history without which it is impossible to understand the metaphor. So, because many of them are used in the daily and common language of all Mexicans, it is a good idea to learn all the expressions of this type that we can and what they mean, even if we do not yet have a sufficient command of the language to use them ourselves.

So if you are about to travel to Mexico, or just want to learn more about this fascinating culture, keep reading so you can learn about the most popular Mexican expressions and Mexican sayings and “no te quedes de a seis” (Don´t stay like looking the six) (I know that this last sentence probably didn’t make sense to you, but keep reading and you will find it)

From greetings to the funniest Mexican sayings, in this list you will find all kinds of Mexican expressions:

Expressions to Greet the Mexican Style

In Mexico, there are many ways to say Hello, how are you? (“Hola, ¿qué tal estas?“) and in fact, this expression is the least used, especially in informal spaces. These are some of the most popular:

“¡Que onda!“: It literally means “what wave“, but it actually means what’s up? , which is a way of saying how are you?.
– e.g. “Que onda, ¿cómo has estado?“: what’s up, how are you?

“¡Qué pedo!“: The word “pedo” in Spanish can be somewhat rude, since it means “flatulence”. But certainly “pedo” is widely used in the common language of Mexico, and in fact it has different meanings. One of them is to say hello, but it is used in more Mexican expressions.
– e.g. “¡Qué pedo! Cuánto tiempo que no te veo.” Hey!, how long without seeing you. In this case you show you are happy to see the other person.

“Quiúbole“: It is another word for saying hi, which certainly has no other meaning than this. “¿Quiúbole, cómo te fue ayer?“: Hey, how did you do yesterday?. It seems to be a contraction of “¿Qué hubo?” (this “qué hubo” is not an expression) that means something like What happened?, and for me it sounds similar to what’ up.

“Qué tranza” or “¿qué transita por tu vida?“:
– This expression to greet is also used only in informal spaces in Mexico. And, like the previous ones, its meaning translates into a What’s up?
– When the phrase is lengthened to say “Que transita por tu vida“, the expression means literally “how has your life been lately“: “Hace mucho no te veo, ¿Que transita por tu vida?”: I haven’t seen you in a long time, how are you doing?

Mexican expressions with allusions to Food

If something is popular in Mexico, it is its food. And not just outside the country. Within Mexico, food is a very important aspect of the culture. So much so that in many Mexican phrases that are used on a daily basis, allusion is made to food.

“A darle que es mole de olla“: “Mole” is one of the typical Mexican dishes, which in fact exists in several presentations, depending on the region where it is prepared. This expression refers to one of those dishes called “mole” and means that you must continue or start a mission or work, with persistence.
– e.g. “Acaba de llegar el material para trabajar, y solo nos quedan 5 horas. A darle que es mole de olla“: The material to work has just arrived, and we only have 5 hours left. Let’s work with no rest to make a good job on time.

“De chile, mole y pozole“: Like mole, pozole is one of the most popular typical Mexican dishes. And chili, is one of the most used ingredients in Mexican cuisine. The expression is used to indicate variety. That is, to say that there is or is wanted “a little of everything”.
– e.g. “¿De qué colores quieres tus canicas? De chile, mole y pozole“: What colors do you want your marbles? As many colors as you can give me.

“¡Ya nos cayó el chahuistle!“: Chahuistle is a disease of corn, which is one of the main foods consumed in Mexico. This disease is a pest for corn crops that is difficult to control. Once it arrives, it usually spoils the harvest. Therefore, this Mexican expression is used to indicate that because of something that happened or someone who arrived, something or a situation was ruined by surprise.
– e.g. “¡Ya nos cayó el chahuistle! Ahí viene la profesora a ver qué estamos haciendo“: What a bummer! Here comes the teacher to see what we are doing.

“Me vale un reverendo cacahuate“: This phrase is used to indicate that you have little interest in something. Its meaning could be translated as “I don’t give a damn” or “I don’t care“. In Spain we say “cacahuete“, but we don’t use that expression.
– e.g. “Carlos está enojado conmigo pero, me importa un cacahuate” Carlos is angry with me, but I don’t give a damn.

“Tragando pinole“: Pinole is a pre-Hispanic food. It is a mixture of vanilla powder and other aromatic spices that is used to give flavor and aroma to chocolate. The phrase “eating pinole” is used to refer to someone being unprepared or taken by surprise.
– e.g. “Me agarraron comiendo pinole en el trabajo. Mi jefe me preguntó algo que no supe responder” I was caught off guard at work. The boss asked me something and I didn’t know what to answer.

“El que tiene más saliva traga más pinole“: It is said about people who know how to get more out of something.

“Parir chayotes“: The chayote is a vegetable that is characterized by its abundant thorns, which when in contact with the skin can cause wounds. And “parir” translates as giving birth. So, 2+2=4. The phrase is used to refer to something being extremely difficult.
– e.g. “El jefe me puso a parir chayotes con el trabajo que me pidió” The boss asked me to do an extremely difficult job.

“Y tu nieve, ¿de qué la quieres?“: In Mexico, ice creams are also called Nieves (Snow). In fact, they were already consumed in pre-Hispanic times, although since it was very difficult to obtain, only the tlatoanis (rulers) and the upper classes ate it. The phrase is used ironically to indicate to someone that they are asking for too much.
– e.g. “¿Puedes hacer el trabajo por mi?: Can you do the work for me?
Sí claro, y tu nieve, ¿de qué la quieres?“: Yes of course and what else? Meaning that you didn’t like that the other person tried to take advantage of you.

Mexican expressions about Animals

Animals are also a great reference for Mexican expressions and sayings. Let’s learn some of the most popular ones:

“Dejaste la víbora chillando“: This literally means “you left the snake screeching”. This is a phrase that we can tell to someone who made a mess or a fight and then simply left without facing the consequences.
– e.g. “Dejaste la víbora chillando con el comentario que hiciste antes de irte” You made a ruckus with your comment and then just walked out.

“Echarse un coyotito“: Coyotitos are the diminutive of Coyote. And when someone says “I’m going to have a coyotito” (Me voy a echar un coyotito) they mean they want to take a nap. You know, similar to the famous Spanish “siesta“.
– e.g. “Tengo sueño, Me voy a echar un coyotito de 20 minutos” I’m sleepy, I’m going to take a 20 minute nap.

“Como el perro de las dos tortas“: It seems that the origin of this phrase comes from a fable. Its meaning in English would be “the dog of the two cakes”. When this phrase is used, it refers to the moment when someone has to choose between two options but due to indecision both options are lost.
– e.g. “No supe decidir entre Joan y Luis, me quedé como el perro de las dos tortas“: I didn’t know how to choose between Pedro or Luis and finally I lost them both.

“Te chilla la ardilla“: The meaning in English of this phrase would be something like “the squirrel cries to you”, and in Mexico it is an expression used to refer to someone having a bad armpit odor.
– e.g. “Tienes que bañarte, te chilla la ardilla” You have to take a bath, your armpit smells.

“Te están chapulineando“: In Mexico, crickets are known as Chapulines. If this phrase is translated literally it would be something like they are making you a cricket. This Mexican expression is something you would tell to a friend of yours when another person begins a relationship with the partner of that close friend of yours. It refers to the rapid movement that crickets make.
– e.g. “Creo que me están chapulineando, he notado que a mi novio gusta de mi amiga“: I think my partner is cheating on me, I noticed that he likes my friend.

Words and phrases from the Native Original Languages

What is now known as Mexico was previously a territory inhabited by various cultures and peoples. When the Spaniards arrived from 1492 there was a mestizaje. So nowadays a lot of Mexicans are descendant of these original peoples, and as a result of cultural exchanges there are currently several phrases and words that have been Spanishized and are commonly used.

“Ya se armó el mitote“: It could be translated as “the party is already organized” or, a fight is already organized. The word mitote is of Nahuatl origin, and means “dancer”. However, when used in this expression, it does not necessarily refers only to a dance. Mitote, depending on the context, can be used as a party, lawsuit, and even gossip.
– e.g. “Llegaron juan y luisa y se armó el mitote“: Juan and Luisa arrived and the party got lively.

“Apapacho“: Is another word of Nahuatl origin that is derived from the word “apretar”, which is equal to “squeeze”. This phrase is used to ask for a hug or a series of affections.
– e.g. “Estoy triste, necesito que me des un apapacho“: I’m sad, I need you to give me a hug.

“No te me achicopales“: This word is used even outside of Mexico, in some Latin American countries. It comes from the Nahuatl word “chicahualiztli”, which could be translated as weak or fragile. But, its meaning refers more to sadness or depression.
– e.g. “Estoy achicopalado porque perdí mi trabajo“: I am sad because I got fired.

“Hacerse guaje“: The guaje is a tree native to Mexico, whose pods contain edible seeds. This word is also used to name hollow containers made from dried fruit shells. The expression, however, has nothing to do with this. When someone says “haciéndose guaje” it refers to pretending not to notice something.
– “No te hagas guaje, tu sabes quien rompió la jarra“: Don’t act clueless, you know who broke the jar (actually Don’t act clueless is the translation of “No te hagas el despistado“).

“Me chamaquearon“: When a person says “Me chamaquearon” it means that others took advantage of him/her for his/her innocence and naivety, which are characteristics that are attributed to the kids, This origin is the Nahuatl word “chamaua”, that today is used in Mexico as “chamaco” to refer to children.
– e.g. “Fui al mercado y me chamaquearon vendiéndome todo más caro“: I went to the market and they tricked by selling me everything more expensive.

Most used Mexican phrases in Everyday Conversations.

“Aguanta vara“: Its literal translation would be hold the rod (or maybe hold like a rod), but we can translate it as hold on. This expression is used to ask someone to be patient or to wait a bit.
– “Ya casi termino la tarea, aguanta vara, para que salgamos juntos“: I’m almost done with my homework, hold on, so we can go out together.

“Armar un Pancho“: Pancho is a diminutive used for the name Francisco. But this word is also used as a synonym for a tantrum. Armar can be translated as assemble, but it is also used in Spanish to say that something was started.
– e.g. “Armó un pancho, solo porque no quise ir hasta su casa” He threw a tantrum just because I didn’t want to go all the way to his house.

Also, we can use “armarse” wanting to show a tone of concern, something similar to kick up.
– “De repente se armó un jaleo“: Suddenly there was a ruckus.

“Hazme el paro“: The word “paro” translates into English as being unemployed (in Spain “estar en el paro” refers to when a person gets paid by the state an amount of money for a limited time according to the time that person was working before being fired and other factors). But when in Mexico they say “Hazme el paro”, they are asking for a favor.
– e.g. “La caja está muy pesada, hazme el paro y ayúdame a cargarla“: The box is very heavy, do me a favor and help me carry it.

“Me estás dando el avión“: This phrase literally means you are giving me the plane. And, although its translation does not make much sense, in Mexico it is used all the time to tell someone that they are not paying attention to you.
– e.g. “Te conté lo que me pasó, y solo me diste el avión“: I told you what happened to me, and you just act like you don’t hear me.

“No manches“: This phrase is used probably by 95% of Mexicans, so it is a good one to learn. Its translation would be something like do not mess, but it has nothing to do with that. This phrase is used to refer to something unexpected or incredible. Perhaps we can translate it as no way!.
– e.g. “No manches, no puedo creer que el huevo esté tan caro“: No way I can’t believe that the egg is so expensive.

“¡Qué chido!“: This expression is very popular in central Mexico, and although “chido” does not have a literal translation, the phrase means “¡que bien!“, that can be translated as how good! or maybe better as great!.
– e.g. “¡Qué chido que tienes un nuevo trabajo!“: Great you have a new job!, Glad you have a new job!.

“¡Aguas!“: Everything indicates that this use of the word “aguas” which in English is waters, comes from the colonial era, when there was no drainage and waste was thrown out the window shouting “¡aguas!“. It is currently used as a synonym for be careful.
– e.g. “Aguas con el agujero, no vayas a caer“: Watch out for the hole, don’t fall.

“Hacer como que le habla la Virgen“: Its literal translation would be to make it appear that the Virgin is speaking to him, and in Mexico this expression is used to tell someone that they are pretending to be focused on something else.
– e.g. “Deja de hacer como que la virgen te habla, y haz lo que te digo“: Stop pretending that you are doing something important, and do what I tell you.

“Estar hasta las chanclas“: “Chanclas” is a way of calling Flip flops in Mexico. But this expression has nothing to do with shoes. To be up to the flip-flops (ponerse hasta las chanclas) means that someone is drunk or intoxicated.
– e.g. “Juan tomó mucho vino y se puso hasta las chanclas“: Juan drank a lot of wine and got drunk.

“Menear el bote“: The English translation would be to move the boat. Which doesn’t make much sense, again. But in Mexico that expression is used to say dance.
– e.g. “Vamos este viernes a mover el bote“: Let’s go dance this Friday.

“Cruda“: The word crude in Mexico means under cooked. But it is one of the most used words to refer to the alcohol hangover.
– e.g. “Ayer bebí demasiado, y ahora estoy tengo mucha cruda“: Yesterday I drank too much, and now I’m very hungover.

“Quedarse de a 6“: At the beginning of this article we said that it was important to know some of these phrases so as not quedarse de a seis in Mexico. This is because this phrase, whose literal translation would be like stay in the six or maybe like looking the six (now I explain why I prefer “looking”), is a peculiar Mexican expression used to refer to a piece of news that has surprised us. Mexicans say it when they are stunned for not understanding something.
The origin of this Mexican expression seems to be the surprising damage that 6 inches cannons of sXIX could make in buildings. This is how the expression “quedarse de a seis” began to be used to say that one has been surprised, because one was amazed looking at the enormous damage these cannons did.
– e.g. “Me quedé de a 6 con cada una de las frases mexicanas que me enseñaron“: I was surprised with each of the Mexican phrases that they taught me.

“¡Ahí nos vidrios!“: This is an expression used by young people to say goodbye or until next time!.
As a Spaniard, I have to say that this is the expression that most surprises me on the list. And it is the expression that for me is the most strangest among all the curious Mexican expressions, many of them so beautiful and funny, that we have just discovered together.

I know it seems overwhelming to have to learn so many phrases that overturn the most standard Spanish language that is usually learned in language schools. But don’t worry, with a little patience and curiosity, you’ll be able to learn these Mexican phrases while discovering how much fun they can be!

“¡Ándele! Vamos a leernos otro artículo“: Come on, let’s go to read another article. In Spain we really like how “ándele” (“¡Vamos! or ¡Venga, vamos!“) sounds with its nice Mexican accent, because we hear it in Western movies translated into Spanish.