Mexican

Clothes is ropa in Mexican Spanish. It is a singular word, so you say la ropa even when you mean many items.

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 Mexican Spanish “devil” is diablo. The slang word chamuco is very popular in Mexico and demonio is also understood.

The word for summer is verano. It is the same in Mexico, where summer means heat and also a lot of rain in many regions.

In Mexico beans are frijoles. On a table they appear as frijoles de la olla, cooked in broth, or as frijoles refritos, mashed and fried.

In Mexico a mushroom is a hongo, and the common white button mushroom is a champiñón. Seta is the Spanish word used in Spain and sounds unusual in Mexico.

In Mexico “slowly” is despacio in everyday talk and lentamente in more careful writing.

In Mexico people say Ay, Dios mío or Dios mío for “oh my God”. Another very Mexican reaction is Híjole, a mild exclamation of surprise or worry.

Wednesday in Mexican Spanish is miércoles. It is masculine and not capitalized unless it starts a sentence. The plural form is the same: los miércoles.

Say Cierra la puerta to a friend or family member and Cierre la puerta to someone you address as usted. Add por favor to be polite.