Texas
/teɡsas/from spelling rules
tejas is the Spanish name for the US state of Texas.
tejas refers specifically to the name of the state in the south central region of the United States.
Which one should you use?
While Texas is the English name, tejas is the Spanish name for the state. However, Texas is also frequently used within Spanish-speaking contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
/teɡsas/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, tejas is also the common word for the terracotta roof tiles used in traditional Mediterranean architecture.
- The original Caddo word táyshaʔ did not name a place but described a relationship, meaning 'friend' or 'ally'.
- The transition from the Caddo táyshaʔ to the Spanish tejas and then to the English Texas shows how a single indigenous term was adapted across three different language families.
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are talking about their travel plans.
- Daniel¿Adónde vas de vacaciones, Sofía?Where are you going on vacation, Sofía?
- SofíaVoy a ir a Texas con mi familia.I am going to go to Texas with my family.
- Daniel¡Qué bien! Me gusta mucho Texas.That's great! I like Texas a lot.
- SofíaA mí también, Daniel.I do too, Daniel.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Texas, CC BY-SA 4.0.
