pasto
everyday, Mexico
In Mexico people usually say pasto for grass, especially a lawn. Zacate is also very common in Mexican speech, and césped is the more neutral word you will see in writing.
Meaning: lawn or grass plant (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| pasto | everyday, Mexico |
| césped | neutral |
| zacate | Mexico, everyday |
Pasto and zacate can both be used for the grass in a yard. You will hear cortar el pasto or cortar el zacate for mowing the lawn.
Which one should you use?
Zacate comes from Nahuatl and is a typical Mexican word. Césped sounds tidier and shows up on signs such as No pisar el césped.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Which of pasto and zacate you hear depends on the region and the family. Both are understood across Mexico.
Did you know?
- Zacate comes from the Nahuatl word zacatl, which also named grass and hay.
Examples in context
- Tengo que cortar el pasto.I have to mow the grass.
- El zacate está muy alto.The grass is very tall.
- No pises el césped.Do not step on the grass.
Example conversation
Don Raúl talks with his son Beto on Saturday morning in their yard in Guadalajara.
- Don RaúlBeto, el pasto ya está muy largo.Beto, the grass is already very long.
- BetoSí, papá. Hoy corto el zacate.Yes, dad. Today I will cut the grass.
- Don RaúlGracias, hijo.Thanks, son.
