Vernon Stanley

The usual way to say “you’re cute” in Mexican Spanish is Eres muy lindo to a man or Eres muy linda to a woman.

In Mexico a red tomato is jitomate, and tomate refers to the green husked tomatillo. This is a difference from other Spanish-speaking countries.

Both cangrejo and jaiba are used in Mexico. Jaiba is the usual word on the coasts, especially for the blue crab served in seafood dishes.

In Mexican Spanish “lightning” is relámpago for the flash and rayo for the bolt that strikes. People use both in daily talk.

Salmon in Mexican Spanish is salmón, written with an accent on the ó. The word is masculine, so you say el salmón.

In Mexico a cockroach is a cucaracha. In casual talk people shorten it to cuca. Say hay una cucaracha to report one.

A “side dish” in Mexican Spanish is a guarnición or an acompañamiento. Both are understood, and acompañamiento is the more everyday word at the table.

In Mexican Spanish “kisses” is besos. The affectionate form is besitos. Many Mexicans end messages with besos or un abrazo y un beso.

In Mexican slang the most popular greeting is ¿Qué onda?, which literally says “what wave?” and means “what’s up?”.

Mexicans most often say Cálmate to a friend and Cálmese to someone they address as usted. Tranquilo or tranquila is the gentle, everyday version.