Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say “what” in Mexican Spanish! In this guide, we will explore both the formal and informal ways to express “what” in conversation. While regional variations exist within Mexico, we will primarily focus on the widely spoken and understood Mexican Spanish. So, let’s dive in and discover various ways to ask “what” in Mexican Spanish!
Table of Contents
1. Formal Ways to Say “What”
When it comes to formal situations or addressing someone with respect, here are some phrases you can use to ask “what” in Mexican Spanish:
- ¿Qué? – This is the most general and common way to say “what” formally. It is appropriate in almost all situations and regions.
- ¿Cómo dice? – This phrase means “how do you say” and can be used to politely ask someone to repeat or clarify what they just said.
2. Informal Ways to Say “What”
If you are in a more casual setting or talking to friends, family, or peers, you can use these informal expressions to ask “what” in Mexican Spanish:
- ¿Qué onda? – This phrase is a popular colloquial expression meaning “what’s up.” It is commonly used in Mexico to greet someone or check in on their well-being.
- ¿Qué pasó? – This is another informal phrase that translates to “what happened.” It can be used to ask someone what’s going on or what’s new in their life.
- ¿Qué pedo? – This expression, although quite informal and more vulgar, is frequently used amongst friends to mean “what’s up.” It is important to note that it may not be appropriate in all situations.
3. Additional Tips and Examples
3.1 Tips for Using “What” in Mexican Spanish
Here are some tips to keep in mind while using the word “what” in Mexican Spanish:
- Context matters: Consider the situation and the people you are speaking to before deciding which expression to use. Formal or informal language is greatly influenced by the setting.
- Non-verbal cues: Pay attention to non-verbal cues when using informal expressions. They may not be suitable for more conservative or professional environments.
- Listen and learn: Immersing yourself in Mexican Spanish through conversations and media will help familiarize you with regional variations and dialects.
3.2 Examples of “What” in Mexican Spanish
Let’s look at some examples of how to use the word “what” in Mexican Spanish:
Formal:
Person A: Disculpe, ¿qué dijo usted? (Excuse me, what did you say?)
Person B: Repetí que el vuelo sale a las nueve. (I said the flight departs at nine.)
Informal:
Person A: ¡Hola! ¿Qué onda? (Hey! What’s up?)
Person B: Nada, solo descansando en casa. (Nothing, just relaxing at home.)
Informal (friendlier):
Person A: ¿Qué pasó, compa? (What’s up, buddy?)
Person B: Pues aquí, trabajando como siempre. (Just here, working as always.)
3.3 Regional Variations
While Mexican Spanish is widely spoken and understood, there can be slight regional variations in vocabulary and pronunciation. However, the phrases mentioned in this guide are commonly used across Mexico. If you encounter different expressions in specific regions, embrace the opportunity to learn and adapt.
Remember, the key to language learning is practice and immersion. The more you engage with native speakers and expose yourself to Mexican Spanish, the better you will become at understanding and using various expressions for “what” in your conversations!
