mestizo
/mesˈtiθo/
The Spanish phrase for mixed race is mestizo.
mestizo is used to describe a person who has ancestors from two or more different racial groups. In many Spanish-speaking contexts, it specifically refers to someone of combined European and Indigenous American descent.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word mestizo changes to mestiza to agree with a female subject. The plural form is mestizos.
How do you pronounce it?
/mesˈtiθo/
Did you know?
- Beyond people, the word mestizo is used in agriculture and biology to describe hybrid plants or animals, such as a cross between two different breeds of cattle.
- In historical colonial caste systems, such as those in New Spain, mestizo was part of a rigid legal hierarchy that determined a person's social status and rights.
- The word mestizo shares the same root as the English word 'mixture', as both stem from the Latin 'mixtus'.
Examples in context
- Se celebra el Día del Mestizo el 27 de junio cada año.Mixed Race Day is celebrated every year on June 27.This sentence shows how mestizo is used in the context of a specific holiday.Tatoeba #8875050 by nonong, translation #12229331 by Miktsoanit
- En México, el mestizaje ha sido fundamental en la formación de nuestra identidad.In Mexico, mixed race heritage has been fundamental in shaping our identity.
- Ricardo es un niño mixto con una herencia diversa.Ricardo is a mixed race child with a diverse heritage.
- Él es mestizo por parte de su padre.He is mixed race on his father's side.
- Muchos habitantes de esta región son mestizos.Many inhabitants of this region are mixed race.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their family history.
- Mateo¿Sabes si tu abuelo era mestizo?Do you know if your grandfather was mixed race?
- LucíaSí, mi abuelo era mestizo.Yes, my grandfather was mixed race.
- MateoEs interesante conocer tus raíces.It is interesting to know your roots.
- LucíaSí, Mateo, es parte de mi identidad.Yes, Mateo, it is part of my identity.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry mestizo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mestizo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
