This list covers 31 Mexican words that start with S, running from “Sacar la vuelta” to “Susto.” You’ll find slang terms, idioms, food names, and everyday expressions that Mexicans use in conversation, from kitchens and markets to casual chats with friends. Many of these words carry regional flavor, and some don’t translate neatly into English at all.

Mexican words are terms and expressions rooted in Mexican Spanish, shaped by regional dialects, indigenous languages, and everyday culture. Many, like “sarape” and “sope,” describe objects and foods tied to specific traditions, while others, like “sobres” and “simón,” are slang that spread through popular speech. One fun example is “santo,” which refers to a person’s name day, a celebration in Mexican culture that’s often treated as important as a birthday.

Below you’ll find the table with the word, English translation, part of speech, example usage, and description.

Word: the Mexican Spanish term itself, spelled exactly as you’d see or hear it in everyday conversation or writing.

English Translation: a quick, plain-language equivalent that helps you understand the word’s core meaning at a glance.

Part of Speech: the word’s grammatical role, such as noun, adjective, idiom, or slang, so you know how to use it correctly.

Example Usage: a real sentence showing the word in context, helping you see how it fits naturally into spoken or written Mexican Spanish.

Description: a fuller explanation of the word’s meaning, origin, or cultural context, giving you a deeper understanding beyond the basic translation.

Mexican words

WordEnglish TranslationPart of SpeechExample Usage
Sacar la vueltaTo dodge someone or somethingIdiom“Siempre le saca la vuelta al trabajo pesado.”
Sacar rajaTo profit from somethingIdiom“Le sacó raja a la situación.”
SacatónCowardly, chickenAdjective (slang)“No seas sacatón, inténtalo.”
SaladoUnlucky, jinxedAdjective (slang)“Estoy salado, todo me sale mal hoy.”
SalbuteSalbuteNoun“Comimos salbutes de pavo en Mérida.”
SaleOkay, dealInterjection (slang)“¿Nos vemos a las ocho? —Sale.”
SalpicónShredded beef saladNoun“Mi abuela prepara un salpicón de res delicioso.”
SalsaSauceNoun“Ponle salsa verde a tus tacos.”
SanchoThe secret loverNoun (slang)“Dicen que la vecina tiene un Sancho.”
SangrónObnoxious, arrogantAdjective/Noun (slang)“No seas sangrón, nadie te está molestando.”
Sano y salvoSafe and soundIdiom“Llegó sano y salvo después del viaje.”
SantoPatron saint, name dayNoun“Mañana es el santo de mi tía Rosa.”
SarapeSerapeNoun“Se envolvió en un sarape para el frío.”
SazónSeasoning, flavorNoun“Esta salsa tiene muy buena sazón.”
Se me haceIt seems to meIdiom“Se me hace que va a llover.”
SeguetaHacksawNoun“Cortó el tubo con una segueta.”
SemitaSemita breadNoun“Compramos semitas en el mercado de Puebla.”
SepaWho knowsInterjection (slang)“¿A qué hora llega? —Sepa.”
SerenataSerenadeNoun“Le llevaron serenata en la madrugada.”
Sí, cómo noYeah, rightIdiom (sarcastic)“¿Tú vas a pagar la cuenta? Sí, cómo no.”
Sikil-pakSikil-pak (pumpkin seed dip)Noun“Untamos totopos en sikil-pak.”
SimónYesInterjection (slang)“¿Vienes al partido? —Simón.”
SinvergüenzaShameless personAdjective/Noun“Ese sinvergüenza no pagó lo que debía.”
SobresSure, let’s do itInterjection (slang)“¿Vamos por tacos? —¡Sobres!”
SopaSoup, pastaNoun“De primer plato pedí sopa de fideo.”
SopeSopeNoun“Los sopes llevan frijoles, crema y queso.”
SotolSotolNoun“En Chihuahua probamos sotol.”
SuaderoSuaderoNoun“Los tacos de suadero son mis favoritos.”
SuaveCool, smoothAdjective (slang)“Qué suave está esa canción.”
SudaderaHoodie, sweatshirtNoun“Traigo puesta mi sudadera por el frío.”
SustoFright, scareNoun“El perro me dio un buen susto.”

Descriptions

Sacar la vuelta
A common expression meaning to avoid a duty, task, or person, usually to dodge responsibility.
Sacar raja
A colloquial phrase meaning to take advantage of a situation for personal benefit.
Sacatón
Playful slang used to call someone timid or too afraid to take a risk.
Salado
Slang describing someone stuck in a stretch of bad luck.
Salbute
A crispy fried tortilla topped with shredded turkey, lettuce, and pickled onion, popular in Yucatán.
Sale
A casual way to agree to a plan or confirm that something is settled.
Salpicón
A refreshing dish of shredded beef mixed with tomato, onion, cilantro, and lime juice.
Salsa
A spicy condiment made from chiles, tomatoes, or tomatillos, essential to Mexican cooking.
Sancho
Slang for a man secretly involved with a woman who has a husband or steady partner.
Sangrón
A widely used insult for someone who acts unpleasant, rude, or full of themselves.
Sano y salvo
A set phrase used to say someone came through an ordeal unharmed.
Santo
In Mexican tradition, the feast day of the saint someone is named after, often celebrated like a second birthday.
Sarape
A brightly patterned woven blanket or shawl traditionally worn across the shoulders.
Sazón
The seasoning, or a cook’s knack for seasoning, that gives a dish its signature taste.
Se me hace
A colloquial way of expressing a hunch or personal impression about something.
Segueta
A small hand saw with a thin, fine-toothed blade used for cutting metal or plastic.
Semita
A soft, lightly sweet bread with roots in Puebla and central Mexico.
Sepa
A shortened, colloquial form of “quién sabe,” used to say you have no idea.
Serenata
A group musical performance given outside someone’s window, often for birthdays or romance.
Sí, cómo no
A sarcastic response used to express disbelief or doubt about a claim.
Sikil-pak
A Yucatecan dip made from ground toasted pumpkin seeds, tomato, and habanero chile.
Simón
A playful slang alternative to “sí,” common in casual conversation.
Sinvergüenza
A term for someone who acts without shame or decency, often used as a mild insult.
Sobres
An enthusiastic slang expression of agreement, similar to “sure!” or “you bet!”
Sopa
A broth-based soup or noodle dish traditionally served as a starter in a Mexican meal.
Sope
A thick, fried corn-dough base topped with beans, meat, cheese, and salsa, a classic Mexican antojito.
Sotol
A traditional distilled spirit made from the Dasylirion plant, popular in northern Mexico.
Suadero
A cut of beef from between the belly and leg, slow-fried and shredded for tacos, especially in Mexico City.
Suave
Slang for something pleasant, easygoing, or cool, beyond its literal meaning of “smooth.”
Sudadera
A casual hooded or crew-neck sweatshirt, an everyday wardrobe staple.
Susto
A sudden scare; in traditional folk belief, also an illness thought to be caused by a frightening shock.
If you think there is a missing term, let us know using the contact form.