Mexican

In Mexico you say Feliz Navidad. People also say Felices fiestas to cover the whole holiday season, and many greeting cards add y próspero Año Nuevo.

In Mexico a jellyfish is medusa. On the coast people also say agua mala, literally “bad water”, especially for the ones that sting.

The word for “shadow” in Mexican Spanish is sombra. It is feminine, so you say la sombra and una sombra larga.

In Mexico a casual way to say “hot girl” is chava guapa, a good-looking young woman.

The Spanish question word for “what” is ¿Qué? and it is the same in Mexico.

In Mexico the word is also nachos, the same as in English, and it is masculine plural: los nachos.

In Mexico Hola, mi amigo is a warm greeting to a man, and Hola, mi amiga to a woman. Hola, amigo mío sounds more affectionate or poetic.

A rat in Mexican Spanish is a rata. A mouse is a ratón, and Mexicans use that word for the computer mouse too. It is a feminine noun, so you say la rata.

The standard word for “smart” is inteligente. In Mexico you also hear listo for clever and abusado for someone sharp and alert, especially in slang.

In Mexico “ketchup” is usually written catsup on labels and menus. Many people also say ketchup, and both are understood.