Vincent Gordon

The Spanish form of Elizabeth is Isabel. In Mexico many girls are named Elizabeth or Lizbeth with the English-style spelling.

In Mexico swear words are called groserías. People also say malas palabras, and a very strong one is a palabrota.

Mexicans most often say rico for “delicious”, as in está muy rico. Delicioso and sabroso are also common and fit any situation.

In Mexican Spanish “alcohol” is alcohol, and alcoholic drinks are bebidas alcohólicas. Mexicans call a beer a chela in casual talk.

In Mexico hominy is maíz pozolero, the large white kernels used for the stew called pozole. Corn cooked with lime for tortilla dough is called nixtamal.

Grandpa in Mexican Spanish is abuelito. Grandchildren also say abue when they want something short and familiar.

In Mexican Spanish “pumpkin” is calabaza. The large orange type used for cooking is often called calabaza de Castilla.

The name Luke is Lucas in Mexican Spanish, the same form used across the Spanish-speaking world.

A hammer is a martillo in Mexico, the same as in other Spanish-speaking countries. The verb is martillar.

The verb is esperar. For a quick “wait” you say espera to a friend or espere to someone you address formally.