tenis
everyday, Mexico
In Mexico tennis shoes are simply tenis, always in the plural. You can also say zapatos tenis. Spain prefers zapatillas, which sounds foreign in most of Mexico. It is also called zapatillas deportivas.
Meaning: sneakers or athletic shoes (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| tenis | everyday, Mexico |
| zapatos tenis | everyday, Mexico |
| zapatillas deportivas | Spain |
People say Me compré unos tenis for a pair of sneakers. The word covers running shoes, casual sneakers and the shoes used for the sport.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain the usual word is zapatillas or zapatillas deportivas. In Mexico zapatillas more often points to slippers or dance shoes.
Did you know?
- Mexican shoe sizes are given in centimeters, so a man might ask for del veintiocho, meaning a foot of about 28 cm.
Examples in context
- Necesito unos tenis nuevos.I need some new tennis shoes.
- Ponte los tenis, vamos a correr.Put on your sneakers, we are going to run.
- Estos tenis son muy cómodos.These sneakers are very comfortable.
Example conversation
Diego and a salesperson called Vendedora talk in a shoe store in Guadalajara.
- DiegoBuenas tardes, busco unos tenis para correr.Good afternoon, I am looking for running shoes.
- Vendedora¿Qué número calza?What size do you wear?
- DiegoDel veintiocho.Size twenty-eight.
- VendedoraEstos tenis le van a quedar bien.These shoes will fit you well.
