This list covers 52 Mexican words starting with the letter L, running from “La neta” to “Luz”. They range from everyday nouns and verbs to regional slang, covering topics like food, family life, emotions, and popular culture. You’ll see words used in kitchens, classrooms, street markets, and casual conversations between friends.
Mexican words are terms and expressions used throughout Mexico, some shared with standard Spanish and others born from local slang and tradition. Many carry a distinct cultural flavor, like “lucha libre,” the country’s masked wrestling style that blends athletic performance with storytelling. Others, like “lana” for money, show how everyday speech turns ordinary ideas into something more colorful.
Below you’ll find the table with the word, its English translation, part of speech, example usage, and description.
Word: the Mexican Spanish term itself, listed alphabetically so you can quickly scan through all 52 entries starting with L.
English Translation: a simple, accurate translation that helps you understand the word’s core meaning without needing a separate dictionary.
Part of Speech: shows whether the word is a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb, so you know how to use it correctly in a sentence.
Example Usage: a short, natural sentence showing the word in context, giving you a real sense of how Mexicans actually use it.
Description: a brief explanation of the word’s meaning, tone, or cultural background, helping you understand when and why it’s used.
Mexican words
Word
English Translation
Part of Speech
Example Usage
La neta
the truth / for real
noun phrase
Dime la neta, ¿te gustó?
Lambiche
tattletale / flatterer
noun
No seas lambiche, no le digas a la maestra.
Lambiscón
suck-up / flatterer
noun
No seas lambiscón con el jefe.
Lambisconear
to suck up to someone
verb
Siempre lambisconea con el maestro.
Lámpara
lamp
noun
Prende la lámpara, está oscuro.
Lana
money
noun
No tengo lana para el cine.
Lapicero
pen
noun
Préstame tu lapicero un momento.
Lápiz
pencil
noun
Necesito un lápiz para dibujar.
Lastimar
to hurt
verb
No quiero lastimar a nadie.
Lavar
to wash
verb
Voy a lavar los trastes.
Legaña
eye crust
noun
Tenía legañas al despertar.
Lechuga
lettuce
noun
Ponle lechuga al taco.
Lejos
far
adverb
Su casa queda lejos del centro.
Lengua
tongue
noun
Pedí tacos de lengua.
Lentes
glasses
noun
Necesito lentes para leer.
Lento
slow
adjective
El internet está muy lento hoy.
Letrero
sign
noun
El letrero decía “cerrado”.
Levantar
to lift / pick up
verb
Levanta la basura del piso.
Ligar
to flirt
verb
Fue al antro a ligar.
Limón
lime
noun
Exprime un limón sobre el taco.
Limpiar
to clean
verb
Hay que limpiar la casa.
Lindo
cute / pretty
adjective
Qué lindo bebé.
Línea
line
noun
Hagan una línea para entrar.
Liso
straight (hair) / smooth
adjective
Tiene el cabello liso.
Listo
ready / clever
adjective
¿Ya estás listo para salir?
Litro
liter
noun
Compré un litro de leche.
Llanta
tire
noun
Se ponchó la llanta del carro.
Llave
buddy / dude
noun
Qué onda, llave, ¿cómo estás?
Llegar
to arrive
verb
Llegó tarde a la fiesta.
Lleno
full
adjective
El cine estaba lleno.
Llorón
crybaby
noun
No seas llorón, no pasó nada.
Lluvia
rain
noun
La lluvia arruinó la posada.
Lobo
wolf
noun
El lobo aparece en muchas leyendas mexicanas.
Locura
craziness
noun
Fue una locura ese viaje.
Loco
crazy
adjective
Ese conductor maneja como loco.
Lodo
mud
noun
Se ensuciaron de lodo jugando.
Lomo
back cut (meat)
noun
Pidió lomo de cerdo.
Lona
tarp / canvas
noun
Cubrieron el puesto con una lona.
Lonche
lunch / sandwich
noun
Voy a comprar un lonche en la esquina.
Lonchar
to eat lunch
verb
Vamos a lonchar a las dos.
Lonchería
lunch diner
noun
Comimos en una lonchería económica.
Lonja
love handle
noun
Le salieron lonjitas por comer tanto.
Loro
parrot
noun
El loro repite todo lo que dice.
Lote
lot / plot
noun
Compraron un lote para construir.
Lotería
lottery / bingo
noun
Jugamos lotería en la fiesta.
Luchador
wrestler
noun
El luchador saltó desde la cuerda.
Lucha libre
wrestling
noun
Fuimos a ver lucha libre el sábado.
Lujo
luxury
noun
Ese carro es un lujo.
Luna
moon
noun
La luna estaba llena.
Lunar
mole (skin)
noun
Tiene un lunar en la mejilla.
Lunes
Monday
noun
El lunes empiezan las clases.
Luz
light
noun
Prende la luz, por favor.
Descriptions
La neta
A popular Mexican slang phrase used to ask for or state the honest truth about something.
Lambiche
A regional Mexican term for someone who tattles on others or flatters authority figures to gain favor.
Lambiscón
Describes someone who excessively flatters people in authority to win their favor; a common Mexican put-down.
Lambisconear
The verb form of “lambiscón,” describing the act of flattering someone in power for personal gain.
Lámpara
A portable light fixture found in nearly every Mexican home, often placed on nightstands or desks.
Lana
Widely used Mexican slang for money, used casually in place of the formal word “dinero.”
Lapicero
A common word for a ballpoint pen, used daily in Mexican schools and offices.
Lápiz
A basic writing and drawing tool used throughout Mexican classrooms and homes.
Lastimar
A verb meaning to physically or emotionally hurt or injure someone.
Lavar
The everyday verb for cleaning dishes, clothes, or other items with water and soap.
Legaña
Informal term for the crusty discharge that forms in the corners of the eyes during sleep.
Lechuga
A leafy green vegetable commonly used as a topping for tacos, tortas, and salads.
Lejos
Describes physical or figurative distance from a given point of reference.
Lengua
Refers to the tongue; in Mexican cuisine it’s also a beloved beef taco filling.
Lentes
Everyday eyewear used for vision correction or sun protection.
Lento
Describes something moving or happening at a low speed, from traffic to internet connections.
Letrero
A posted sign or placard displaying information, instructions, or advertising.
Levantar
A common verb meaning to raise, lift, or pick something up off a surface.
Ligar
Informal verb meaning to flirt or try to romantically connect with someone.
Limón
The small citrus fruit essential to Mexican cooking, used in salsas, drinks, and street food.
Limpiar
Everyday verb meaning to clean or tidy up a space or object.
Lindo
A common adjective expressing that someone or something is charming or attractive.
Línea
Refers to a queue of people, a drawn line, or a telephone or transit line.
Liso
Describes a smooth or straight texture, most often used to describe hair.
Listo
Means either “ready” for an activity or “smart/clever,” depending on context.
Litro
The metric unit of volume commonly used in Mexico for liquids like milk or gasoline.
Llanta
The rubber wheel covering on a vehicle; casually also used for a roll of belly fat.
Llave
Mexican slang for a close friend, similar to “pal” or “dude,” used mostly among men.
Llegar
A basic verb meaning to arrive at a place or reach a point in time.
Lleno
Describes a space, container, or vehicle that is completely filled.
Llorón
Describes someone who cries or complains excessively; also evokes the legendary ghost “La Llorona.”
Lluvia
Precipitation falling from clouds, a frequent topic during Mexico’s rainy season.
Lobo
A wild canine featured prominently in Mexican folklore and rural storytelling.
Locura
Refers to an act, idea, or situation considered wild, crazy, or reckless.
Loco
A widely used word describing someone or something wild, crazy, or reckless.
Lodo
Wet, soft earth formed after rain, often mentioned during Mexico’s rainy season.
Lomo
A cut of pork or beef taken from the animal’s back, common in Mexican main dishes.
Lona
A heavy waterproof fabric used to cover market stalls, trucks, or outdoor stages.
Lonche
In Mexico, refers to a midday meal or a hearty sandwich sold at street stands.
Lonchar
Informal Mexican verb derived from “lonche,” meaning to eat lunch.
Lonchería
A small, casual Mexican eatery specializing in quick, affordable lunch dishes.
Lonja
Playful Mexican slang for the extra rolls of fat around the waist.
Loro
A colorful tropical bird known for mimicking speech, common across Mexico’s jungles and homes.
Lote
A defined piece of land, often referenced in real estate or in “lote de autos” (car lot).
Lotería
Refers to Mexico’s traditional picture-card bingo game as well as the national lottery.
Luchador
A performer in lucha libre, often wearing colorful masks and elaborate costumes.
Lucha libre
Mexico’s iconic masked professional wrestling style, blending acrobatics with theatrical storytelling.
Lujo
Refers to something extravagant or high-end that goes beyond basic necessity.
Luna
Earth’s natural satellite, frequently referenced in Mexican songs, legends, and folklore.
Lunar
A small dark spot on the skin, often mentioned descriptively in everyday conversation.
Lunes
The first weekday following Sunday, marking the start of the work or school week.
Luz
Refers to light, whether from the sun, a bulb, or electricity in general.
If you think there is a missing term, let us know using the contact form.