It’s the classic story every Spaniard in Mexico has: you say “voy a coger el autobús”, the table goes silent, then everybody bursts out laughing. In Spain it means “I’m going to take the bus”. In Mexico… let’s say it’s not about the bus.
Everyday words: Spain vs Mexico
| English | Spain | Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Car | Coche | Carro |
| Mobile phone | Móvil | Celular |
| Computer | Ordenador | Computadora |
| Juice | Zumo | Jugo |
| Potato | Patata | Papa |
| Glasses | Gafas | Lentes |
| Apartment | Piso | Departamento |
| To drive | Conducir | Manejar |
| To park | Aparcar | Estacionar |
| Ticket | Billete | Boleto |
| Fridge | Nevera | Refrigerador |
| Straw | Pajita | Popote |
| Bus | Autobús | Camión |
| Cool! | ¡Guay! | ¡Padre! / ¡Chido! |
| Dude | Tío | Güey |
| OK | Vale | Órale / Sale |
| You (plural) | Vosotros | Ustedes |
Words that can get you in trouble
| Word | In Spain | In Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Coger | To take, to catch | Vulgar: to have sex |
| Torta | A slap, or a flat cake | A sandwich |
| Pinche | A kitchen assistant | Damn, lousy (“pinche tráfico”) |
| Chaqueta | A jacket | Also vulgar slang |
| Pisto | A vegetable stew | Booze |
| Fresa | A strawberry | A posh, snobbish person (also a strawberry) |
| Ahorita | Right now | Sometime… maybe later |
| Gilipollas vs pendejo | Gilipollas = idiot | Pendejo = idiot |
Which Spanish should you learn?
The one you’ll use. Living in or travelling to Spain? Learn Spain Spanish, with vosotros and vale. Working with Mexico or the US? Mexican Spanish. The grammar is 95% the same, and once you speak one, understanding the other takes weeks, not years. More here: how to speak Spanish in Spain and Madrid slang words.
Learn the Spanish people really speak
Start with my free Spanish stories set in Madrid: real words, real situations, in Spanglish.
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Is Spanish from Spain different from Mexican Spanish?
It is the same language, with different accents, some different everyday words and vosotros in Spain. Speakers understand each other easily.
Why is coger rude in Mexico?
In Mexico and much of Latin America, coger is vulgar slang for having sex. In Spain it simply means to take or catch.
What does ahorita mean in Mexico?
Officially “right now”, but in practice it can mean “soon” or “maybe later”.
Should I learn Spanish from Spain or Latin America?
Learn the variety you will use most. Once you speak one, adapting to the other is quick.
— Monica Bernabe Perez
$54 · 30 minutes · with Mónica
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