Lena Yvonne

In Mexico “because” is porque. In conversation Mexicans often open an excuse or explanation with es que, which works a little like “the thing is”.

In Mexico air is aire, the same word as in other Spanish-speaking countries. Mexicans also call air conditioning el aire or el clima.

In Mexico “rest in peace” is descanse en paz or que en paz descanse. With a close friend or relative, people say descansa en paz.

In Mexico bacon is tocino. For the smoked kind, people say tocino ahumado, and in Spain you would see bacon or beicon instead.

In Mexico a bribe is a mordida, literally “bite”, in everyday speech. The formal word, used in news and law, is soborno.

In Mexico the police are la policía.

The usual word for “brave” in Mexico is valiente. It works for people, animals and decisions, and it stays the same for men and women.

In Mexico the state is written Texas and said “TEH-hahs”, with the x pronounced like a Spanish j. The spelling Tejas is also correct and matches the sound.

In Mexico the language is called español. Mexicans seldom say castellano, although the word is understood and is the usual name in some other countries.

In Mexico the name Stephen is Esteban. People translate the English name Stephen or Steven as Esteban in documents and at school.