California
everyday, Mexico
In Mexican Spanish California is written and said California, with the stress on -for-. Mexico has its own states called Baja California and Baja California Sur.
The spelling is the same as in English. When it matters whether you mean the U.S. state or Mexico, people say California, Estados Unidos or Baja California.
Meaning: the U.S. state or the Mexican peninsula (proper noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
The Mexican states Baja California and Baja California Sur sit on the peninsula south of the U.S. border. Alta California was the old name for the U.S. state when it belonged to Mexico.
How do you pronounce it?
Say it as "kah-lee-FOR-nyah", with the stress on the third syllable, for.
Did you know?
- The name California is thought to come from a fictional island in a Spanish novel from the early 1500s, Las sergas de Esplandián.
Examples in context
- Mi tía vive en California.My aunt lives in California.
- Fuimos a Baja California de vacaciones.We went to Baja California on vacation.
- Quiero conocer California algún día.I want to see California someday.
Example conversation
Lucía tells her friend Pedro about a trip while they walk in Tijuana.
- LucíaEl año pasado fui a California.Last year I went to California.
- Pedro¿A San Diego?To San Diego?
- LucíaSí, cruzamos desde Tijuana.Yes, we crossed from Tijuana.
