FluenDay Blog – Learn languages

Have you ever wondered how many English words actually come from Spanish? It’s pretty amazing! English has borrowed a lot from Spanish over the years. In this post, we’re going to take a fun and fascinating look at 30 English terms that are loanwords or have Spanish roots. Ready to uncover their stories and see how they made their way into our vocabulary? Let’s dive in!

1. Burrito 🌯

This popular Mexican dish, wrapped in a tortilla, has made its way into our vocabulary. The word burrito comes from the Spanish word for “little donkey,” which is a nod to the way the tortilla is wrapped around the filling, much like a donkey carrying a load.

2. Cigar 🚬

The term cigar comes from the Spanish word cigarro, which itself is derived from the Maya word sikar, meaning “to smoke.”

3. Guitar 🎸

The name of this beloved stringed instrument is borrowed from the Spanish guitarra, which traces its origins back to the Greek kithara, an ancient stringed instrument.

4. Jalapeño 🌶️

Spice up your life with a jalapeño! This hot chili pepper gets its name from the Spanish jalapeño, which refers to the city of Xalapa in Mexico, where these peppers are grown.

5. Macho 💪

Calling someone macho refers to their exaggerated sense of masculinity. This term comes directly from Spanish, where it simply means “male” or “manly.”

6. Margarita 🍹

Raise a glass of margarita! This classic cocktail, made with tequila, lime, and triple sec, takes its name directly from Spanish, where “Margarita” is a common name.

7. Plaza 🏛️

This term refers to a public square or marketplace and it is borrowed from the Spanish word plaza, which means exactly that. It’s a central spot in many towns and cities!

8. Siesta 😴

The Spanish word siesta means “nap” and comes from the Latin sexta, referring to the sixth hour of the day. We use this term to talk about a short afternoon nap. 

9. Sombrero 🎩

Top off your outfit with a “sombrero,” a wide-brimmed hat perfect for sunny days. Sombrero comes from the Spanish word for “shade,” which is fitting for a hat that provides shade.

10. Taco 🌮

Tacos are a staple in Mexican cuisine and have made their way into our food vocabulary. This word is borrowed from the Spanish and means “plug” or “wad,” referring to the way the tortilla wraps around the fillings.

11. Tornado 🌪️

The powerful windstorm known as a tornado has its name derived from the Spanish word tornado, which means “twisted.”

12. Fiasco 🎭

A complete failure or disaster? That’s a fiasco, a word that comes from the Italian, meaning “bottle,” but was popularized in Spanish to denote a disaster.

13. Coyote 🐺

Coyote, referring to the wild canine, is a loanword from Spanish, which itself is borrowed from the Nahuatl word coyotl.

14. Gaucho 🤠

A gaucho is a South American cowboy, and the term comes from Spanish, reflecting the culture of the Argentine and Uruguayan cowhands.

15. Salsa 💃

Whether it’s a dance or a sauce, salsa comes from the Spanish word for “sauce,” which adds zest to both music and food.

16. Rodeo 🤠

The competitive event showcasing cattle-ranching skills is called a rodeo, from the same Spanish word, which means “round-up.”

17. Canyon 🏞️

The stunning geological formations we call canyons have their name from the Spanish cañón, meaning “tube” or “pipe.”

18. Mosquito 🦟

Did you know this? This word was borrowed from the Spanish term mosquito, which means “little fly.”

19. Caboose 🚂

The last car on a freight train is called a “caboose,” from the Spanish cabús.

20. Maraca 🎶

Shake to the rhythm with maracas! This percussion instrument’s name comes from the Spanish maraca, derived from the Tupi word “mbaracá.”

21. Chili 🌶️

The spicy pepper or stew called chili comes from the Spanish word chile, which refers to various types of hot peppers.

22. Pinto 🐴

Whether it’s a type of bean or a horse, pinto comes from the Spanish word for “painted,” referring to the mottled appearance.

23. Tortilla 🌮

The thin flatbread known as a tortilla is a staple in Mexican cuisine and comes from the Spanish language, and means “little cake.”

24. Hurricane 🌪️

The word hurricane, referring to a large storm system, comes from the Spanish huracán, which is borrowed from the Taino word hurakán.

25. Pueblo 🏘️

The term pueblo, meaning a town or village, comes from Spanish and it is often used to refer to communities in the southwestern United States.

26. Vamoose 🚀

The word “vamoose” originates from the Spanish “vámonos,” meaning “let’s go.” English speakers, particularly on the American frontier, adopted this term to convey the idea of leaving quickly or making a hasty departure. Over time, it became a colloquial expression, maintaining its energetic tone but blending seamlessly into English vocabulary.

27. Empanada 🥟

Enjoy a delicious pastry filled with meat or cheese? That’s an empanada, from the Spanish “empanar,” meaning “to bread.”

28. Avocado 🥑

From the Spanish term aguacate, which itself comes from the Nahuatl word ahuacatl, meaning ‘testicle,’ due to the fruit’s shape. This word highlights the avocado’s origins in Central America, where it was a staple food for indigenous peoples long before it became widely known in the rest of the world.

29. Tomato 🍅

From Spanish tomate, which comes from the Nahuatl term tomatl, meaning ‘the swelling fruit,’ the word traces its roots back to the indigenous language of the Aztecs. This reflects the tomato’s origins in Mesoamerica, where it was first cultivated before being introduced to Europe by Spanish explorers in the 16th century. Over time, the word tomate spread across various languages, becoming the standard term for this now globally popular fruit in many cultures.

30. Hacienda 🏡

A “hacienda” is a large estate or plantation, and the word comes from Spanish, reflecting the grand estates in Spanish-speaking countries.

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