mexicanito
/meɡsikanito/from spelling rules
The English phrase "little mexican" can be translated into Spanish as mexicanito.
This phrase is used to refer to a Mexican person or thing in a small or endearing way.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is formed by adding the diminutive suffix -ito to the noun or adjective mexicano.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form is mexicanita. For a group of little Mexicans, use the masculine or mixed-gender plural form mexicanitos.
How do you pronounce it?
/meɡsikanito/
Did you know?
- While mexicanito is an endearing term, using diminutives with strangers can sometimes be perceived as patronizing or overly familiar depending on the specific region and social context.
- The suffix -ito in mexicanito is part of a linguistic trait called 'diminutive overuse', which is particularly common in Mexican Spanish to soften requests or sound more polite.
- The use of diminutives is much more frequent in Mexican Spanish than in many other Spanish dialects, such as those in Spain, where the same suffix might be used less often for affection.
Examples in context
- Ese mexicanito es muy divertido.That little Mexican guy is very funny.
- ¡Qué lindo mexicanito!What a cute little Mexican boy!
- Mi mexicanito favorito vive en Madrid.My favorite little Mexican guy lives in Madrid.
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are looking at a photo of a child.
- Lucía¿Quién es este mexicanito en la foto?Who is this little Mexican boy in the photo?
- JavierEs el hijo de mi primo.He is my cousin's son.
- LucíaEs un mexicanito muy guapo.He is a very handsome little Mexican boy.
- JavierSí, tiene mucha energía.Yes, he has a lot of energy.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
