Expand Your Espanol
abuela – grandmother
ahorita – “little now” (literal translation); implies something will happen in a little while
Al mal tiempo, buena cara. – In bad weather, keep a good face.
alebrijes – (pron: ah-lay-bree-hays); fierce, magical creatures which inhabit a person’s dreams; also a style of artwork created by Mexican artisan Pedro Linares Lopez in the late 1930s; these brightly colored sculptures are still made and sold today
amiga – friend
amor – love
beso – kiss
bonita – pretty
buena fortuna – good fortune
bueno – good (literal translation); also how Mexicans answer the phone (instead of saying “Hello?”); one source indicates it’s a shortened form of other greetings (“Buenos dias” or “Buenas noche”); other sources say it began as a method of testing the phone lines to ensure a connection was good
cabello – hair
¡Cielos! – literally “Skies!”; a mild exclamation like “Dear me!” or “Good heavens!”
cuídate – loosely translates “take care of yourself”
¿Como estás? – How are you? (informal; used with family)
chancla – slipper or house shoe (literal translation); refers to a flip-flop in Mexico; used by some mothers as a “disciplinary resource” in the same way other parents might use a belt
Con dinero baila el perro. – With money, even the dog dances.
concha blanca – Mexican sweet bread roll covered in a cookie crust; traditionally flavored with vanilla or chocolate; concha translates literally as “shell” which is what the pan dulce (sweet bread) resembles
coyote – shortened term for coyotaje; people who transport undocumented immigrants into the United States
¿Cual es su nombre? – What is his name?
Dios mio – my God
dulce – sweet
Elegir es renunciar. – To choose is to renounce.
feliz – happy
fortuna grande – big fortune
grosero – rude, unpleasant person
guapo – handsome
¿Hablas español? – Do you speak Spanish? (informal)
hecho en Tejas – made in Texas
hola – hello
¿La familia es todo, verdad? – Family is everything, right?
los cuatros – the foursome (loose translation)
lotería – lottery
¿Mande? – Say that again?; the socially acceptable way to say “Pardon me?” in a conversation; in Mexico, used instead of ¿Qué? (What?)
mezcal – a distilled alcoholic beverage made from the agave plant
mijita – little girl (term of endearment)
muy bien – very good
nada – nothing
pandilleros – a street gang
¿Qué hora es allá? – What time is it?
¿Qué onda? – What’s up? (loose translation)
quinceañera – (pron: keen-sey-ah-nyair-uh); a “coming-of-age” celebration for Hispanic girls when they turn fifteen; it begins with a formal religious ceremony and ends with an elaborate reception that includes many traditions similar to a wedding
un regalo de Dios – a gift from God
sobresa – niece
taqueria – Mexican restaurant or café specializing in tacos
tarde – late
Te amo. – I love you. (spouse or lover)
Te quiero. – I love you. (extended family, close friends, boyfriend or girlfriend)
tía – aunt
todo – all
F. E. Greene 