Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| mexicano | /mexiˈkano/ /meʃiˈkano/ |
|
| mexicana | /mexiˈkana/ | |
| mejicano | /mexiˈkano/ | masculine, alternative form |
The term refers to a person from Mexico or someone of Mexican descent. It can be used as a noun to identify a person or as an adjective to describe things pertaining to Mexico.
Which one should you use?
While mexicano is the standard spelling, mejicano is a recognized alternative spelling. mejicano is more common in Spain than in Latin America.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The spelling mejicano is more frequently used in Spain compared to its use in Latin America.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form mexicana is used when referring to a single female Mexican person or when the adjective modifies a feminine noun. The masculine plural form mexicanos is used for a group of Mexican men or a mixed-gender group of Mexican people. Use mexicano to refer to a Mexican man.
How do you pronounce it?
/mexiˈkano/
Did you know?
- Unlike English, where 'Mexican' is always capitalized, the adjective form mexicano is written in lowercase in Spanish unless it begins a sentence.
- In some historical texts, the 'x' in mexicano represented a 'sh' sound, which was the original pronunciation of the name in Nahuatl.
- The name mexicano is derived from the Classical Nahuatl word Mēxihco, which refers to the region where the Mexica people lived.
Examples in context
- ¿Te gusta la comida mexicana?Do you like Mexican food?This sentence is useful for asking about a preference for food using the form mexicana.Tatoeba #3788707 by hayastan, translation #2207446 by Hybrid
- Un mexicano le enseñó español.A Mexican taught him Spanish.This sentence is useful for describing a person using the form mexicano.Tatoeba #2264602 by hayastan, translation #2264601 by _undertoad
- Tom es un inmigrante mejicano.Tom is a Mexican immigrant.This sentence is useful for describing an immigrant using the form mejicano.Tatoeba #3006046 by marcelostockle, translation #2665362 by meerkat
- Él tiene nacionalidad mexicanaHe has Mexican nationality
- Él es ciudadano mexicanoHe is a Mexican citizen
- La embajadora mexicana visitará nuestra ciudadThe Mexican ambassador will visit our city
- Ella es de nacionalidad mexicanaShe is of Mexican nationality
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are talking about their new coworker at the office.
- Mateo¿Sabes si el nuevo empleado es mexicano?Do you know if the new employee is Mexican?
- SofíaSí, él es mexicano.Yes, he is Mexican.
- MateoQué bueno, a él le gusta mucho el fútbol.That's good, he likes soccer a lot.
- SofíaEs verdad, Mateo.That is true, Mateo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mexican” translations and entries mexicano, mexicana, mejicano, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mexicano, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
