This list covers 35 Mexican words, running alphabetically from “Ahorita” to “Alburero.” Most are everyday terms you’ll hear in casual conversation, from playful slang to warm family nicknames. People use them to joke around, show affection, describe food and drink, or react quickly to everyday situations.

Mexican words are expressions shaped by centuries of history, blending Spanish with Indigenous languages like Nahuatl. Many carry a strong sense of humor or tenderness, such as “apapachar,” a Nahuatl-rooted verb for hugging someone with real warmth. Others, like “albur,” point to a whole tradition of clever wordplay that Mexicans take pride in.

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

Word: The exact Mexican word or phrase featured in this entry, spelled the way you’d actually see or hear it used.

English translation: A quick English equivalent so you can understand the word’s core meaning at a glance, even without Spanish knowledge.

Part of speech: Tells you whether the word functions as a noun, verb, adjective, adverb, interjection, or phrase in a sentence.

Example usage: A short, real-sounding sentence showing you exactly how native speakers use the word in everyday conversation.

Description: A deeper explanation covering the word’s origin, tone, or cultural context, helping you use it correctly and confidently.

Mexican words

WordEnglish translationPart of speechExample usage
AhoritaRight now / in a bitAdverb“Ahorita te ayudo.”
AguasWatch out!Interjection“¡Aguas, viene un carro!”
ApapacharTo cuddle / comfortVerb“Ven, te voy a apapachar.”
ApapachoA comforting hugNoun“Necesito un apapacho.”
AntojitoSnack / street foodNoun“Vamos a cenar antojitos.”
AventarTo throw / tossVerb“Aviéntame las llaves.”
AventónA ride / liftNoun“¿Me das un aventón?”
AlebrijeFantastical folk art creatureNoun“Compré un alebrije de madera.”
AtoleCorn-based hot drinkNoun“Tomamos atole con tamales.”
AlburWordplay with double meaningNoun“Le tiró un albur.”
AchicopalarseTo get discouragedVerb“No te achicopales.”
ÁndaleCome on / hurry upInterjection“¡Ándale, se hace tarde!”
ApáDadNoun“Apá, ¿ya llegaste?”
AmáMomNoun“Amá, tengo hambre.”
AzoteaRooftop (slang for head)Noun“Le falla la azotea.”
Al chileFor real / seriouslyPhrase“Al chile, no sabía.”
A huevoHell yes / for sureInterjection“¿Vamos? ¡A huevo!”
AchichincleYes-man / lackeyNoun“Es un achichincle del jefe.”
ArrejuntadosUnmarried live-in coupleNoun“Viven de arrejuntados.”
AtarantadoDizzy / scatterbrainedAdjective“Andas bien atarantado.”
AntroNightclubNoun“Fuimos a un antro el sábado.”
AguadoWatery / wimpyAdjective“El caldo quedó muy aguado.”
AñejoAgedAdjective“Un tequila añejo.”
AjoloteAxolotlNoun“El ajolote vive en Xochimilco.”
ArribaUp / cheersInterjection“¡Arriba México!”
Agarrar la ondaTo catch on / understandPhrase“Ya le agarré la onda.”
AguacateAvocadoNoun“El aguacate está carísimo ahora.”
AmolarTo bother / annoyVerb“No me amueles.”
ApretadoStingy / uptightAdjective“Ese jefe es bien apretado.”
AntierDay before yesterdayAdverb“Lo vi antier.”
Ahí nomásSo-so / just okayPhrase“¿Cómo estás? Ahí nomás.”
ArrimarseTo get close / moochVerb“No te arrimes tanto.”
ApachurrarTo squash / squishVerb“Apachurró la lata.”
ArracadasHoop earringsNoun“Se puso sus arracadas.”
AlbureroSkilled wordplay jokerNoun“Mi tío es bien alburero.”

Descriptions

Ahorita
A flexible time word Mexicans use to mean anything from immediately to indefinitely later.
Aguas
A warning shout literally meaning “waters,” used to alert someone to danger.
Apapachar
A Nahuatl-derived verb meaning to hug or pamper someone with tenderness.
Apapacho
The noun form of apapachar, referring to an affectionate embrace or gesture of comfort.
Antojito
Small savory Mexican street foods like tacos, sopes, or tostadas meant to satisfy a craving.
Aventar
A common colloquial verb meaning to throw or fling something.
Aventón
Slang for a free ride in someone’s car or vehicle.
Alebrije
A brightly painted sculpture of a hybrid mythical creature, a folk art form originating in Mexico City.
Atole
A warm, thick beverage made from corn masa, often flavored with cinnamon, chocolate, or fruit.
Albur
A witty pun, often with hidden sexual innuendo, prized as a classic Mexican verbal art form.
Achicopalarse
Slang for becoming sad, disheartened, or losing enthusiasm about something.
Ándale
An exclamation used to urge someone on or express encouragement.
Apá
An informal, affectionate shortening of “papá” commonly used across Mexico.
Amá
An informal, affectionate shortening of “mamá” commonly used across Mexico.
Azotea
Literally “rooftop,” used figuratively to mean someone’s head or state of mind.
Al chile
Blunt slang used to emphasize that something is the honest, unvarnished truth.
A huevo
A forceful, informal way of affirming something with enthusiasm.
Achichincle
A dismissive term for a servile assistant who blindly follows a superior.
Arrejuntados
An informal term for a couple cohabiting without being legally married.
Atarantado
Describes someone confused, dazed, or acting without thinking clearly.
Antro
Common slang for a bar or nightclub where people go out dancing.
Aguado
Literally means watery or diluted, but also slang for someone weak or lacking toughness.
Añejo
Describes spirits, especially tequila, aged in barrels for extra smoothness and flavor.
Ajolote
A rare aquatic salamander, Ambystoma mexicanum, native to Mexico’s lake canals and famed for regenerating limbs.
Arriba
Used as an enthusiastic cheer of national or regional pride.
Agarrar la onda
Means to finally grasp, understand, or get the hang of something.
Aguacate
From the Nahuatl “ahuacatl,” this creamy fruit is a Mexican culinary staple, especially in guacamole.
Amolar
Informal verb meaning to pester, bother, or mess with someone.
Apretado
Slang describing someone cheap, tight-fisted, or overly rigid.
Antier
A common contraction of “antes de ayer,” widely used in everyday Mexican Spanish.
Ahí nomás
An informal response meaning “getting by” or “nothing special.”
Arrimarse
Can mean physically getting closer, or slang for freeloading off someone else.
Apachurrar
To crush, squeeze, or flatten something; also used playfully to mean a tight hug.
Arracadas
Traditional large hoop earrings commonly worn with Mexican folk dress.
Alburero
Someone especially clever at making albures, the classic Mexican double-meaning puns.
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