This list covers 60 Mexican words, from “Bache” to “Buscar,” all starting with the letter B. They range from everyday nouns and common verbs to regional slang and cultural terms you’ll hear in daily conversation, in the news, or at family gatherings across Mexico. Whether you’re learning Spanish, planning a trip, or just curious about how Mexicans actually talk, this list gives you practical vocabulary you can start using right away.

Mexican words are terms and expressions used in everyday Mexican Spanish, including formal vocabulary as well as slang that developed locally and isn’t always understood elsewhere in the Spanish-speaking world. Many carry cultural weight, like “birria,” a slow-cooked stew tied to family gatherings, or “buey,” a casual and sometimes rude way friends address each other. Some even borrow from English, such as “boiler” for a water heater, showing how language evolves through everyday use.

Below you’ll find the table with the word, its English translation, part of speech, an example sentence, and a description.

Word: the Mexican Spanish term itself, spelled the way you’ll see and hear it used in everyday conversation.

English translation: a direct English translation so you immediately understand what each word actually means without guessing.

Part of speech: tells you whether the word functions as a noun, verb, adjective, adverb, or phrase, so you can use it correctly in a sentence.

Example usage: a sample sentence showing the word in a natural context, helping you see exactly how it’s spoken in real conversation.

Description: extra context on meaning, tone, or cultural background, so you understand when and how to use each word appropriately.

Mexican words

WordEnglish translationPart of speechExample usage
BachepotholenounEl camino tiene muchos baches.
Bailarto danceverbVamos a bailar cumbia en la fiesta.
BalacerashootoutnounHubo una balacera cerca del mercado.
BanderaflagnounLa bandera mexicana tiene verde, blanco y rojo.
Bañobathroomnoun¿Dónde está el baño?
BaratocheapadjectiveEse mercado vende ropa barata.
Barbacoabarbacoa (slow-cooked meat)nounComimos tacos de barbacoa el domingo.
Bardawall / fencenounPintaron la barda de la casa.
BarrioneighborhoodnounCrecí en un barrio muy unido.
Basuratrashnoun¿Ya sacaste la basura?
BebébabynounEl bebé está dormido.
BeisbolbaseballnounEl beisbol es muy popular en el norte de México.
BerrinchetantrumnounEl niño hizo un berrinche en la tienda.
BesokissnounLe dio un beso en la mejilla.
Besarto kissverbSe besaron antes de despedirse.
BicicletabicyclenounFui a la escuela en bicicleta.
Bienwell / fineadverbEstoy bien, gracias.
Bien padrereally coolphraseEse carro está bien padre.
BigotemustachenounMi abuelo tiene un bigote grande.
Billetebill (money)nounNecesito cambio para este billete.
BirriabirrianounLa birria se sirve con su consomé.
Bizcochosponge cakenounMi abuela hace un bizcocho de vainilla.
Blanquilloeggnoun¿Me haces dos blanquillos para desayunar?
Bocadillosmall snack / sandwichnounPreparó bocadillos para el viaje.
BocamouthnounAbre la boca para el doctor.
BochoVW BeetlenounMi tío todavía maneja un bocho verde.
BocinaspeakernounSube el volumen de la bocina.
Boilerwater heaternounEl boiler se descompuso y no hay agua caliente.
Bolaball / crowd (slang)nounHabía una bola de gente en el concierto.
Bolillobread rollnounCompré bolillos frescos para la torta.
BolsabagnounGuarda las llaves en tu bolsa.
BomberofirefighternounLos bomberos llegaron rápido al incendio.
Bombóntreat / attractive personnounEsa niña es un bombón.
BonitoprettyadjectiveQué vestido tan bonito.
Borlotecommotion / messnounSe hizo un borlote cuando se fue la luz.
BorrachodrunkadjectiveSe puso borracho en la fiesta.
BorregosheepnounEl borrego se perdió en el campo.
BosqueforestnounFuimos de campamento al bosque.
BotabootnounUsa botas vaqueras para montar.
Botanasnack / appetizernounPon unas botanas para la reunión.
Botecan / jail (slang)nounLo mandaron al bote por robar.
BotellabottlenounTrae una botella de agua.
Braceroguest workernounSu abuelo fue bracero en los años cuarenta.
Bravofierce / toughadjectiveEse perro es muy bravo.
BrazoarmnounSe lastimó el brazo jugando fútbol.
Brincarto jumpverbLos niños brincan la cuerda.
BrincojumpnounDio un brinco de alegría.
Brincolínbouncy castlenounRentamos un brincolín para la fiesta infantil.
BromajokenounFue solo una broma, no te enojes.
Broncatrouble / fight (slang)nounSe armó una bronca en el bar.
BrujawitchnounLa leyenda habla de una bruja en el pueblo.
Buchacapocket (slang)nounGuardó el dinero en la buchaca.
Buchónflashy narco-culture figurenounEn la canción describen a un buchón con camioneta lujosa.
BuenogoodadjectiveEste pastel está muy bueno.
Bueydude / man (slang)nounOye, buey, ¿vienes o no?
BufandascarfnounSe puso una bufanda porque hacía frío.
Bullaracket / noisenounLos vecinos hicieron mucha bulla anoche.
Bultobundle / backpacknounDeja el bulto en la entrada.
BurrodonkeynounEl burro cargaba la leña.
Buscarto look forverbVoy a buscar mis llaves.

Descriptions

Bache
A hole or dip in a road surface caused by wear or bad weather; a common complaint about streets in Mexico.
Bailar
To move the body rhythmically to music, a favorite activity at Mexican parties and celebrations.
Balacera
A gun battle or exchange of gunfire, a term frequently heard in Mexican news coverage.
Bandera
A piece of cloth with a distinctive design used as a national or group symbol.
Baño
A room containing a toilet and usually a sink or shower; essential travel vocabulary.
Barato
Describes something that costs little money relative to its value.
Barbacoa
A traditional dish of meat, often lamb or beef, slow-cooked until tender; a favorite for weekend family meals.
Barda
An outdoor wall or fence enclosing a property, a common feature of Mexican homes.
Barrio
A district within a town or city, often used to describe a close-knit community.
Basura
Waste material discarded as no longer useful; a basic everyday household word.
Bebé
A very young child, especially one not yet able to walk or talk.
Beisbol
A bat-and-ball sport especially popular in northern Mexican states like Sonora and Nuevo León.
Berrinche
A sudden outburst of anger or frustration, typically thrown by a child not getting their way.
Beso
An affectionate touch of the lips to another person as a sign of love or greeting.
Besar
To touch someone with the lips as a sign of love, affection, or greeting.
Bicicleta
A two-wheeled vehicle powered by pedaling, common transportation in many Mexican towns.
Bien
Used to describe something done correctly, or a state of good health or condition.
Bien padre
A very Mexican slang expression meaning “really cool” or “awesome,” often used to praise something impressive.
Bigote
Facial hair grown above the upper lip, often associated with classic Mexican charro style.
Billete
A piece of paper currency, as opposed to a coin.
Birria
A spicy Mexican stew traditionally made with goat or beef, served with tortillas and a savory broth.
Bizcocho
A light, fluffy sponge cake, a classic treat at Mexican birthday parties and coffee breaks.
Blanquillo
A polite, informal way to say “egg” in parts of Mexico, used as an alternative to the word “huevo.”
Bocadillo
A small snack or light sandwich, often packed for a trip or served at informal gatherings.
Boca
The body part used for eating, speaking, and breathing.
Bocho
Mexican slang for the classic Volkswagen Beetle, once a common taxi and family car across the country.
Bocina
A device that produces sound, such as a loudspeaker.
Boiler
A Mexican Spanish term, borrowed from English, for the household water-heating unit.
Bola
Literally “ball,” but colloquially used in Mexico to mean a crowd or large group of people.
Bolillo
A crusty white bread roll typical of Mexican bakeries, often used to make tortas (sandwiches).
Bolsa
A container made of flexible material used for carrying items, such as a purse or sack.
Bombero
A person trained to extinguish fires and respond to emergencies.
Bombón
Literally a small chocolate candy, but used informally to describe someone considered very attractive.
Bonito
Describes something visually pleasing or attractive.
Borlote
Mexican slang for a noisy commotion, scandal, or messy situation.
Borracho
Describes a person who is intoxicated from drinking too much alcohol.
Borrego
A woolly farm animal; informally used to describe someone who blindly follows others.
Bosque
A large area covered chiefly with trees and undergrowth.
Bota
A sturdy shoe covering the foot and part of the leg, closely tied to Mexican ranch and cowboy culture.
Botana
A small snack or appetizer served with drinks, a staple of Mexican social gatherings.
Bote
Literally “can” or “jar,” but used colloquially in Mexico as slang for jail or prison.
Botella
A container, typically glass or plastic, used for storing liquids.
Bracero
A Mexican laborer who worked temporarily in the United States under the mid-20th-century Bracero Program.
Bravo
Describes someone or something aggressive, tough, or quick to anger.
Brazo
The upper limb of the human body, extending from shoulder to hand.
Brincar
To leap or jump, often used playfully, as in jumping rope.
Brinco
A leap or sudden jumping motion, often out of excitement or fear.
Brincolín
Mexican term for an inflatable bouncy castle, a common feature at children’s birthday parties.
Broma
A playful trick or joke told for amusement.
Bronca
Mexican slang for a fight, argument, or a problem someone is dealing with.
Bruja
A woman believed to practice magic, a common figure in Mexican folklore and legends.
Buchaca
Mexican slang for a pocket, especially in clothing.
Buchón
Mexican slang for a flashy, ostentatious figure associated with narco culture, often depicted in “narcocorrido” songs.
Bueno
Describes something of high quality or a person of good character.
Buey
A very casual, sometimes rude way Mexicans address a male friend, roughly equivalent to “dude”; literally means “ox.”
Bufanda
A strip of fabric worn around the neck for warmth or style.
Bulla
A loud noise or commotion caused by a group of people.
Bulto
A package, bundle, or bag of belongings, often used to describe a backpack or sack of goods.
Burro
A small hoofed animal used for carrying loads; also used informally to call someone stubborn or not very bright.
Buscar
To search for or attempt to find someone or something.
If you think there is a missing term, let us know using the contact form.