Top 100 Mexican slang words you need to know.
Que onda chicos!! I’ve been living in Oaxaca Mexico for over 10 years now and have learned my fair share of Spanish along the way, the good, the bad, and the ugly! So today is your lesson to learn all the Mexican Slang words so you can chat to locals and understand what they’re actually talking about.
Learning Spanish is important, useful and appreciated highly by Mexicans. So if you know some Slang as well, they’ll love you!
Lets start off light, then get into the good stuff…. the vulgar Mexican Slang curse words. Que chingón!!
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Family friendly Mexican Slang words
These can be used with anyone and everyone. The old lady at the tienda, kids, your grandmother. Nothing offensive here.
Aguas!!
Look out!! If you hear this, something is about to hit you, or you need to quickly get out of the way. An important one to know 😜
Ahorita
This should mean ‘soon’, but can also mean right now, or some time in the future… you could even be waiting a lifetime…
Ándale
Means to either Hurry Up or to confirm/agree. Ándale!! – Alright!! Ándale, tenemos que irnos – Hurry up, we need to leave.
A poco!
No kidding! That’s unbelievable! Wow, you don’t say! Are you serious?
Buena onda
When someone or something is cool, nice, has good vibes. She’s cool – Ella es buena onda. The opposite to this is mala onda.
Chisme
The gossip. What’s the gossip? Cuales son los chismes? To gossip is to chismear. Someone who is the gossiper, is known as chismoso.
Chiste
A chiste is a joke while something funny is chistoso. Chiste can also mean the trick, or the way to do something, as in el chiste es hacerlo así — the trick is to do it like this.
Fresa
Fresa is used to describe a person who is a snob, stuck-up and basically, thinks that they are better than everyone else. They’ll likely speak with a distinct accent – which may or may not be fake. Also to describe a luxury item or fancy object. It’s a very common term.
Híjole!
Used to convey surprise, amazement, or disbelief. It’s very commonly used how someone might use ‘wow,’ ‘oh my,’ or ‘oh gosh’.
La Banda
A funny way to say a group of friends, the crew, the gang. Voy a slair con la banda esta noche – I’m going to go out with the crew tonight.
Mande?
Is asking someone to repeat what they just said, if you didn’t hear them properly or just didn’t understand.
Ni modo
Is used a lot and means ‘it doesn’t matter’ or ‘it cant be helped’. Ohh we just missed the bus, ni modo, we’ll get the next one.
No manches
One of the most used slang words in Mexico. Used as a reaction to surprising information… No Manches!! – No Way!! or Come on!! The vulgar way to say this is No Mames!! Head down to Mexican Slang curse words below for more on this 👇
Órale
Has a load of meanings, depending on how you express it (see pic above). Go for it! or Right on! Also used to agree: Let’s do it! Let’s go! Or it can express excitement, like Wow, amazing!
A poco!
It’s used to show disbelief, surprise, or skepticism. It’s similar to saying “seriously?” or “are you serious?”
Porfis
The playful and cute way to say Por Favor – Please.
Que milagro!
What a miracle! This is how Mexicans say ‘Long time no see’ or that finally something has happened.
Que padre
That’s awesome / really good! If someone tells you some good news or shows you something good, you can reply Que Padre. With friends you’d also say Que Chido.
Qué onda?
Is asking how’s it going? or how something is going? What’s up my friend? – Qué onda amigo? What’s up with your car? – Qué ondo con tu carro?
Que oso!
How embarrassing!! How shameful!!
Sale
An agreement word. like saying ‘got it’, or ‘ok’, You can also add in and say Sale vale.
La Sopa
The gossip
Mexican Slang words to use with friends
Here’s some Mexican Slang used with friends and in informal situations.
Wey / Güey
Means dude or bro. This is hands down the most used Mexican slang word. You’re going to hear it flat out, everywhere you go. Weeeeey, no manches! Sí wey, vamos por unas chelas wey.
Ahuevo!
Awesome! For sure! Used to express agreement, enthusiasm, emphasis, or determination. It’s often used to signify ‘absolutely’ or ‘definitely,’ while also conveying excitement or approval.
A su mecha!
Expression of surprise. A su metcha, OMG, I cant believe that just happened. Or we’re in a bit of a sticky situation.
Ay Ay Ay
is an exclamation often used to show surprise, frustration, or a mix of emotions. It’s like saying ‘oh no,’ ‘oh dear,’ or ‘uh-oh’.
Caer gordo
to dislike someone, to annoy. I don’t like him or he annoys me would be Él me cae gordo.
Cámera
‘I agree’ or ‘It’s a deal’
Chafa
Something that is or poor quality. E.g. things generally made in china are chafa. I like using this word!
Chale
Used as a saying when something bad happens to express empathy, lamentation, or regret. The best translation would likely be, ‘That sucks’.
Chamaco
Used to refer to a child or teen.
Chambear
Is the informal way to say ‘to work’ instead of trabajo. Chamba = Work, job. Estoy en la chumba, I’m working. No tengo chumba, I don’t have any work.
Chido
Straight up, chido means something or a situation is cool in Mexican slang.
Chueco
Means something is bend or not straight. In slang, means ‘crooked’. Dodgy business would be negocio chueco. Can also mean someone is gay, not straight.
Chulo / Chula
Beautiful or Sexy. Can be used with a person or thing.
Chavo
Refered to a young guy. Chava for girl. Funnily enough, a chavo chava means a trans person, a bit of both.
Chingón
Used to describe – or to assign elevated status to – a person, place, thing or action and to convey an element of impressive dominance or mastery. The best of the best.
Codo / coda
A tight ass, cheap or stingy person. It’s a funny one this, because codo literally means elbow. So to gesture that someone is cheap, you would just tap your elbow a few times 🤣
Cochino
Used to describe some as a pig, dirty, disgusting or rude.
Crudo / cruda
To be hungerover. Estoy crudo – I’m hungover.
Desmadre
A few meanings both positive and negative. It’s super common to use this word. A disaster/mess/chaos/wild. Everything is going wrong, Es un desmadre. The fiesta last night was awesome, un desmadre. Your room is an absolute mess, tu cuarto es un desmadre.
Guapo / Guapa
A good looking person.
Güero / Güera
This is Mexican slang for a white person, or someone with light skin and/or light colored hair. Pronounced wero or wera.
Huevón / Huevóna
An extremely lazy person. No seas huevón! Don’t be so lazy!
Jefe / jefa
Is transaled to Boss. But very often used to talk about your parents. Mi jefe – My father. Mi jefa – My mother
Mala copa
This is the person who can’t handle their booze. The one that gets drunk, then loses control, cries, be’s dramatic, might starts fights. Literally translated as ‘Bad Glass’.
Metiche
A person who sticks their nose in everybody’s business. The next step up from lighter phrase chismoso.
Morro / Morra
A very slang word to describe a young man or woman. Can be used to say someones boyfriend/girlfriend. Ya viene tu morra – Here comes your girlfriend.
Mota
Is a slang term used for marijuana.
Naco
A naco is like a low-class person, tacky, not well educated and/or vulgar. It has nothing to do with money, and all about their behavior.
Neta
An informal way to say Really? For real? Or for confirmation that something is the truth.
No hay bronca
No problem! It’s a casual way of saying that something isn’t a big deal, it’s no issue or isn’t worth getting worked up over.
Panzon / Panzona
A playful word to say someone has a big stomach/belly. Or a woman is pregnant.
Pinche
Pinche is mostly used to describe something or someone as miserable, worthless, or lousy. Mainly used like darn, damn or goddamn. But be careful, because context in key here. If it’s used strongly, replace the lighthearted ‘damn’ with ‘fucking’. Pinche car wont start. Pinche Juan isn’t coming tonight.
Ratero
Is a thief or criminal. Comes from the word rata – rat.
Rola
Songs are rolas. The slang way to say a cool song(s) instead of the formal canción.
Simón
Affirmation meaning ‘yes’. As in ‘sí, man’
Un chingo
A popular slang word to explain that there is a lot of or an excessive amount of something. Hay un chingo de gente – There’s a lot of people. Él tiene un chingo de dinero – He has a lot of money. Me duele un chingo – It hurts a lot.
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Mexican Slang for friends
Instead of using amigo, use these for your closest best friends – Carnal – Compa – Cuate – Tío.
Mexican Slang for beer
Chela – Cheve – Caguama (big bottle of beer) – Unas frias (a few cold ones)
Mexican Slang for money
Lana and Plata are used for money. Varos is used for bucks. Like when something costs 100 varos.
The ‘full on’ Mexican Slang curse words
Ok, now we’re getting into the juicy stuff. These Mexican Slang curse words, are the bad words known as groserias in Spanish, and shouldn’t be used until you start getting a real handle on your Spanish and context. Some are very offensive and could get you into trouble some how. But anyway, we’re all adults here, so here we go… If you’re a bit precious, look away now. This may not be for you haha 😎
A toda madre
Expression meaning pure excellence!! The best.
A su madre!
Exclamation of surprise or shock. The vulgar upgrade from A su mecha.
Baboso
Has a few different meanings. 1. A perverted, sleazy person who “drools” at the site of an attractive person. 2. A big dumb ass, idiot or fool.
Cabrón
Used to describe a person, and meaning depends entirely on the context. 1. A bad person, or idiot. 2. The best, or very successful, person.
Cagar
Literally means to shit. But is often used to say that you fucked up, someone fucked up or now you’re fucked.
Carajo
used as an expression of annoyance, frustration or emphasis. It can also be used as a way of being fed up.
Chingar
To fuck. Like fuck in English, there’s a million and one ways to use it and both positive and negitive contexts. There is whole book solely dedicated to chingar, The Chingonario. I have it and it’s great. It comes with 100’s of uses, examples and explanations.
Chinga tu madre!
Means go and get fucked or go fuck yourself.
Chingá!
Ohh fuck! Then followed by what the problem is, insinuating that some worse will follow. Ahh chingá! No tengo dinero. Ya tengo que ir al cajero. Ohh fuck, I haven’t got any money. I have to go to the ATM.
Chingadera
Something without value or importance. A piece of shit.
La Chingada
Is an unknown Mexican place very far away. If someone tells you to go there, they’re telling you to go and get fucked 🤣🤣 Vete a la chingada! – Vete means go and La chingada is this magical Mexican place very far away.
No me chingues
Super vulgar way to say ‘Don’t nag – don’t bother me’.
Churro
A marijuana joint.
Coger
To fuck or have sex.
Culo
Ass or buttocks usually used in a sexual manner.
Hasta la madre
An emotional state of frustration with someone or something. e.g. Me tiene hasta la madre – I’m fucking sick of it – Estoy hasta la madre!!!
Huevos
What literally translates to eggs, in slang context means balls or testicles.
Mamacita
A term used to call a hot beautiful looking woman.
Mamada
OK, a few different contexts here. Firstly means bullshit, as in a statement which clearly isn’t untrue. No me vengas con mamadas – don’t talk bullshit to me. Hablas puras mamadas – You speak absolute shit. And secondly, Mamada also means a blowjob.
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Mamón
Jerk, inmature, sucker. No seas mamón – Don’t be a jerk.
Maricón
A gay man. Used as a strong insult like ‘faggot’.
Me vale madre!!
I don’t give a fuck! It’s a very strong phrase this one.
No mames!
WTF? You can’t be serious!! The vulgar upgrade from No Manches! One of the most popular vulgar Mexican Slang phrases, commonly used with Güey/Wey. No mames wey!!!
Peda
A drinking session or party like event. ‘Que buena peda anoche!‘ – What an awesome party last night.
Pedo
Another very common and vulgar word this one. Literally means fart, but also to greet or ask what happened, to be drunk, a problem, an exclamation of surprise. Qué pedo wey? Hows it going? Que pedo! What the hell! Estabas bien pedo anoche – You were so drunk last night. Qué pedo con Juan? What’s up or what happened with Juan?
Pendejo
it means asshole, dumbass or imbecile and is widely used as an insult, or in a jokingly manner amongst friends.
Pendejadas
Someones crap, nonsense, ridiculous actions or stupids things. Estoy harta de oír a este tipo diciendo pendejadas. I’m done with listening this dude talk crap. Bla Bla Bla puras pendejadas hablas! – Bla Bla Bla you speak absolute rubbish.
Perra
Bitch
Perrón
Used to describe something to be Kick ass! Awesome.
Pinche
I’ve popped pinche down here again, because although it can mean damn, in certain context it’s used to intensify something by putting ‘fucking’ in front. Pinche pendejo!- Fucking asshole!
Pistear
To drink alcohol. It’s the vulgar way of saying let’s get drunk, wasted, smash down a few beers and get fucked up.
Putazo
A BIG punch, strike or beating.
Puta
A slut.
Puto
A gay man. And also used as an insult like faggot.
Puta madre
Has many, many meanings. Again, it’s all in the context. Fuck this shit, Holy shit!, No fucking way!, I screwed it up; What have you done?, Again? Used as a curse saying like ‘Ohh Fuck!!’. Also used as an insult, Fuck you! and if something amazing, unbelievable or astonishing just happened, you’d slowly say ‘Puuuta Maaadre!!‘ Other examples – Chinga a tu puta madre – Fuck you!! Hija de su puta madre! – Fucking son of a bitch!
Que poca madre
Something bad, wrong, not pleasing for sure. Perdiste tu celular? Que poca madre! — You lost your phone? That’s fucked!!
Verga
Means dick/penis and is one of the most vular Mexican slang words this is. There’s a heap of expressions that go with verga. Vete a la verga – Go fuck yourself. Verga!! Daaaaaam! Me vale verga! – I don’t give a fuck! A la verga! – Holy fuck! both in a positive and negative way.
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And there it is my friends!! If you have some more Mexican Slang words you’d like to see added in, just let me know down in the comments 👌
👉 50 Best things to See, Do and Eat in Oaxaca City: Your Ultimate Guide
Thank you
Hijo de puta….will sound as “hi de pu”….so importante to practice listening to the spoken slangs,otherwise you won’t catch them in normal interactions.
Thanks mate 👍
Yeah spot on!! It’s one thing to learn Spanish, then the Mexican Slang… then trying to understand it all when it’s spoken so quickly haha. And all the doble sentidos tambien! It’s good fun.
Chinguen a su puta madre pinches pendejos hijos de la verga váyanse a la chingada