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If you’re learning Mexican Spanish, especially Mexican slang, understanding these terms is key to sounding more like a native speaker and less like a textbook. Mexican slang is full of color, personality, and is widely used in everyday conversations—so if you’re planning to visit Mexico or just want to understand Mexican culture better, this is your guide. Let’s dive into 30 of the most commonly used Spanish slang words and phrases in Mexico!

Why is Mexican Slang Important?

In Mexico, slang or “jerga” is more than trendy words—it’s a cultural phenomenon that reflects the local lifestyle. Understanding Mexican slang is crucial for better connecting with locals, blending in more seamlessly, and appreciating the vibrancy of Mexican Spanish. Using these slang terms will not only help you sound more fluent but also enhance your grasp of Mexican culture.

30 Commonly Used Mexican Slang Words and Phrases

1. Órale
   Meaning: Wow, okay, hurry up
   Example: ¡Órale! Ya vámonos. (Hurry up! Let’s go.)
   Tip: You’ll hear this all the time in Mexico. It’s used to express surprise, to express agreement or to encourage someone to hurry up.
2. Güey
   Meaning: Dude, guy
   Example: ¿Qué haces, güey? (What are you doing, dude?)
   Tip: Super common between friends, but don’t use it with strangers or in formal settings. But be careful, “Güey” also can be used in an offensive way to mean “stupid”.
3. Chido
   Meaning: Cool, awesome
   Example: Tu camisa está bien chida. (Your shirt is really cool.)
   Tip: Use this to compliment something in a casual way.
4. ¡No manches!
   Meaning: No way, you’re kidding
   Example: ¿Sacaste 10 en el examen? ¡No manches! (You got a 10 on the test? No way!)
   Tip: It’s used to express disbelief or surprise.
5. Neta
   Meaning: Truth, really?
   Example: ¿Neta, ya te vas? (Seriously, you’re leaving already?)
   Tip: Use it when asking if something is for real or to emphasize honesty.
6. ¡Qué padre!
   Meaning: How cool!
   Example: ¡Qué padre está esta película! (This movie is so cool!)
   Tip: Use this expression to show excitement or admiration.
7. Chamba
   Meaning: Job, work
   Example: Encontré una nueva chamba. (I found a new job.)
   Tip: This is a casual way to refer to a job.
8. Pedo
   Meaning: Drunk, problem, situation (context-dependent)
   Example: No hay pedo, todo está bien. (No problem, everything’s fine.)
   Tip: The meaning changes based on the context, so use it wisely.
9. Aguas
   Meaning: Watch out, be careful
   Example: ¡Aguas con el coche! (Watch out for the car!)
   Tip: A warning expression often used to alert someone to danger.
10. Fresa
    Meaning: Snobby, preppy person
    Example: Esa chica es muy fresa. (That girl is really snobby.)
    Tip: Used to describe someone with a privileged or entitled attitude.
11. Carnal
    Meaning: Bro, close friend
    Example: ¿Qué pasa, carnal? (What’s up, bro?)
    Tip: A casual term for a close male friend.
12. Mero mero
    Meaning: The boss, the main person
    Example: Él es el mero mero del equipo. (He’s the main guy on the team.)
    Tip: A way to describe someone in charge or the best at something.
13. Bronca
    Meaning: Problem, trouble
    Example: Tengo una bronca en el trabajo. (I have a problem at work.)
    Tip: Commonly used to refer to an issue or challenge.
14. Chela
    Meaning: Beer
    Example: Vamos por unas chelas. (Let’s go get some beers.)
    Tip: This slang word for beer is widely used in casual settings.
15. Chamaco/a
    Meaning: Kid
    Example: El chamaco está jugando afuera. (The kid is playing outside.)
    Tip: Use it to refer to children in a playful or familiar way.
16. Desmadre
    Meaning: Chaos, mess
    Example: La fiesta fue un desmadre. (The party was a total mess.)
    Tip: This word is great for describing any wild or chaotic situation.
17. Platicar
    Meaning: To chat, talk
    Example: Vamos a platicar un rato. (Let’s chat for a while.)
    Tip: A friendly, casual word for “talk” or “chat.”
18. Cuate
    Meaning: Buddy, friend
    Example: Mi cuate viene a la fiesta. (My buddy is coming to the party.)
    Tip: Popular in Mexico City, use it to refer to a close friend.
19. Chafa
    Meaning: Cheap, low-quality
    Example: Ese teléfono es muy chafa. (That phone is really low-quality.)
    Tip: Use it to describe something disappointing or poorly made.
20. Chale
    Meaning: Expression of disappointment, concern or frustration
    Example: Chale, no puedo ir. (Darn, I can’t go.)
    Tip: Similar to saying “Darn!” when something doesn’t go as planned.
21. Mande
    Meaning: Pardon? Can you repeat that?
    Example: Mande, no te escuché. (Pardon, I didn’t hear you.)
    Tip: A polite way to ask someone to repeat themselves.
22. Va
    Meaning: Okay, sure
    Example: Vamos al cine. – ¡Va! (Let’s go to the movies. – Okay!)
    Tip: Use it to agree to something casually.
23. Pachanga
    Meaning: Party
    Example: El sábado hay una pachanga en casa de Luis. (There’s a party at Luis’ house on Saturday.)
    Tip: A fun word for any social gathering or fiesta.
24. ¡Qué hueva!
    Meaning: How boring, what a drag
    Example: Tengo que trabajar este fin de semana. – ¡Qué hueva! (I have to work this weekend. – What a drag!)
    Tip: Use it to express boredom or reluctance.
25. Chilango
    Meaning: Someone from Mexico City
    Example: Mi amigo es chilango, nació en la Ciudad de México. (My friend is chilango, he was born in Mexico City.)
    Tip: A specific term for people from Mexico City.
26. Chavo/a
    Meaning: Boy/girl, teenager
    Example: El chavo es muy amable. (The boy is very kind.)
    Tip: A casual way to refer to young people or teens.
27. Bajarle de huevos
    Meaning: Calm down, lower the intensity
    Example: ¡Bájale de huevos, no es para tanto! (Calm down, it’s not that big of a deal!)
    Tip: Use this when someone is overreacting or needs to relax.
28. Morro/a
    Meaning: Kid, young person
    Example: El morro está en la escuela. (The kid is at school.)
    Tip: A casual term to refer to children or younger people.
29. Ser la neta
    Meaning: To be the best, to be awesome
    Example: Ese restaurante es la neta. (That restaurant is the best.)
    Tip: Use this when you want to praise something highly.
30. Vato
    Meaning: Dude, guy
    Example: Ese vato es mi mejor amigo. (That dude is my best friend.)
    Tip: A casual way to refer to a guy, similar to “güey.”

By learning these commonly used Mexican slang expressions, you’ll not only enhance your Spanish fluency but also immerse yourself deeper into Mexican culture! 

Want to learn even more slang? Check out the FluenDay app! We’ve curated over 3,000 movie clips to boost your Mexican Spanish conversations.

Find more slang expressions in the app!