Mexican

A mild Mexican way to say “damn” is Caray. Other common exclamations are Demonios and the stronger Maldita sea.

In Mexico an ashtray is a cenicero. The word comes from ceniza, which means ash, and it is the same word used across the Spanish-speaking world.

The cooking pot is a cazuela, and the food cooked in it is often a guiso. In Mexico the glass baking dish is called a refractario.

In Mexico you say Quédese con el cambio to a stranger and Quédate con el cambio to a friend. In a shop or taxi many people simply say Así está bien.

A chair is silla in Mexican Spanish. A big armchair is a sillón, and a stool is a banco. Say Siéntate en la silla to ask someone to sit down.

In Mexico a deer is usually called venado. Ciervo is the more general word and is understood everywhere. Use venado for the animal and for the meat.

In Mexico waffles are wafles, a Spanish spelling of the English word, and many menus keep waffles. The singular is wafle. In Spain the word is gofres.

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.

Cabbage in Mexico is col. In many other countries it is repollo, and Mexicans will understand that word too.

The insect is mosquito in Mexican Spanish. In parts of Mexico people also say zancudo for a long-legged mosquito.