25 Examples of Mexicanisms
Miscellanea / / July 04, 2021
Mexicanisms
Mexicanisms are Spanish words that were adapted and used in Mexico. For example: tinaco, bolón, owl.
Each language is the expression of the cultural transformations that occurred in a territory. The language that is used in a country is a reflection of its processes of colonization, independence, mixtures and miscegenations between different civilizations and societies, giving rise to new languages that previously did not existed.
In Mexico, despite having Castilian as an official language, many indigenous languages have been spoken. When the Spanish arrived, the hegemonic culture was nahuatl, but there have also been Mayan, Zapotec, Mixtec, Wirrárica and some 60 diverse autochthonous languages.
Obviously, as of today, in Mexico only the official language of the country stands out. Those who used other languages had to adapt, and a large number died in the colonizing and expansionist process. Likewise, communities that use some of the aforementioned dialects still survive.
Mexican Spanish
If Spanish triumphed as the only language in Mexico, it did to the MexicanIn other words, it did so by adapting its basic rules to a group of characteristics typical of the country's language, those that were brought from the origins of the same territory. It seems logical, when analyzing some names used in Mexico that have nothing to do with the typical names of Spain, Colombia or Argentina: Xochitl, Centeotl or Cuahtemoc.
Many issues related to communication are a postcard of the regions, beyond the formal language they use to communicate. The tone of voice and the tune are intrinsic characteristics of countries, or even regions within the same country.
In Mexico, the nasal use of some letters such as N or M, the indistinct pronunciation of Y and LL, and the non-existent affricate consonant represented as TZ are typical and mark a characteristic of their own. However, the very words that are chosen to communicate are a typical feature of the region.
The typical words and expressions used in Mexico are called Mexicanisms.
Examples of Mexicanisms
- Abusadillo: Ready, or sagacious.
- Lamecazuelas: Index finger.
- Chilletas: A person who cries frequently.
- Finished: Exhausted from old age.
- Jacal: A house or a shack that is usually poor.
- Bread: Coat a food with breadcrumbs and egg.
- Mañanitas: Popular musical composition that is sung early in the street in front of the window of someone who has a birthday, or celebrates her holy day.
- Tuning: Harvesting prickly pears.
- Bolón: Great gathering of people.
- Tinaco: Tank in which water is stored in buildings.
- Repecha: Make a rest stop.
- Owl: Lechuza, and in some cases a police officer.
- Jáquima: Drunk.
- Nemontemi: Period of the five or six intercalary days of the Aztec year.
- Left: Cab ride.
- Újule: Sign of admiration or surprise.
- Burnish: Shrink or shrink.
- Garigolear: Garnish lavishly.
- Little horn: Some sweet bread in the shape of a crescent.
- Armored: Dirty, or filthy.
- Outsider: Stranger.
- Give yourself a grab: Fight with blows.
- Platicadera: Repeated conversation.
- Pigeon: Beat an inexperienced player.
- Piquera: Tavern or establishment where drinks are served.
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Anglicisms | Germanisms | Lusisms |
Arabisms | Hellenisms | Mexicanisms |
Archaisms | Indigenisms | Quechuismos |
Barbarism | Italianisms | Vasquismos |