25 Essential Mexican Slang Words Every Traveler Needs to Know (2026)
Quick summary: Mexican Spanish is full of colorful slang, regional expressions, and cultural shorthand that textbooks never teach. Master these 25 phrases before your trip and you'll connect with locals, navigate markets like a pro, and avoid a few awkward misunderstandings along the way.
Why Learning Mexican Slang Is Worth It
Standard Spanish gets you understood in Mexico — but Mexican slang gets you invited in. Mexicans are famously warm and expressive, and nothing breaks the ice faster than dropping a well-timed güey or knowing that ahorita can mean anywhere from "right now" to "maybe never."
Beyond social bonding, slang is genuinely practical. Menus, street vendor shouts, taxi drivers, and market hagglers all speak in a dialect that's distinctly Mexican. This guide arms you with the most useful, traveler-relevant words organized by real-life situation.
Essential Greetings & Everyday Phrases
| Slang | Literal Meaning | What It Really Means | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¿Qué onda? | What wave? | What's up? / How's it going? | Universal casual greeting |
| ¿Qué pedo? | What fart? | What's going on? (informal) | Between close friends |
| GĂĽey / Wey | Ox | Dude / Man / Buddy | The most common filler word in Mexico |
| Chido/Chida | — | Cool / Awesome | "Esa música está chida" |
| Órale | — | Alright / Let's go / Wow | Agreement, encouragement, surprise |
| Sale | — | OK / Deal / Sounds good | Confirming plans |
How to Use Them
Start any interaction with ¿Qué onda? — it's friendly and universally understood from Mexico City to Oaxaca. Órale is your Swiss-army response word: use it to agree, cheer someone on, or express mild surprise. Güey (pronounced way) is used constantly between friends but avoid it with strangers, elders, or in formal settings.
Street Food & Dining Slang
Mexico's food culture is extraordinary, and knowing the lingo elevates every taco-stand visit.
| Word/Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| De volada | Quick, in a flash — "Dame dos tacos de volada" (give me two tacos fast) |
| Chesco | Slang for refresco (soft drink) |
| Botanear | To snack / graze on appetizers |
| Echarse un taco | To grab a quick bite |
| ÂżLe pongo todo? | Shall I put everything on it? (common taquero question) |
| Está de pelos | It's really good / delicious (literally "it's all hair") |
Ordering Like a Local
When a taquero asks ÂżLe pongo todo?, they're asking if you want all the toppings — onion, cilantro, salsa, etc. Say "SĂ, de todo" for yes, or specify: "Sin cebolla" (no onion). If something tastes incredible, say "Está de pelos" — the vendor will beam.
Getting Around
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| CamiĂłn | City bus (not a truck as in other Spanish dialects) |
| Pesero / Combi | Minibus / shared van (common in Mexico City) |
| ¿A cómo está? | How much is it? |
| Ahorita | "Right now" — but could mean 5 min, 1 hour, or never |
| A la vuelta | Just around the corner |
| Chafa | Cheap quality, a rip-off |
The Ahorita Warning ⚠️
Ahorita is perhaps the most important word for travelers to internalize. It technically means "right now," but context changes everything. "El camión llega ahorita" from a bus driver might mean 2 minutes. From a restaurant waiter, it could mean 20. When timing matters, ask: "¿Cuántos minutos exactamente?"
Shopping & Bargaining
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ÂżMe hace un descuento? | Can you give me a discount? |
| Está muy caro | It's too expensive |
| ¿Cuánto por los dos? | How much for both? |
| Me lo llevo | I'll take it |
| Codo | Stingy / tightfisted (jokingly called this if you haggle hard) |
Bargaining Etiquette
Bargaining is expected at mercados (markets) and craft fairs, but not in stores with fixed prices. Always smile and keep it light — Mexicans enjoy the social theater of negotiating. Start by asking ¿Me hace un descuento? and expect to meet somewhere in the middle.
Social Phrases & Making Friends
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| No manches | No way! / You're kidding! (mild version of a stronger phrase) |
| Me cae bien | I like them / They're cool (literally "they fall well on me") |
| Échale ganas | Give it your best / Keep at it |
| Qué gacho | That sucks / How unfortunate |
| A huevo | Absolutely / Hell yeah (vulgar but common) |
| Andar pedo | To be drunk |
Things to Avoid Saying
- Don't confuse coger — in Mexico (unlike Spain), this verb has an extremely vulgar meaning. Use agarrar instead.
- Avoid calling people indio/india as a casual description — it carries colonial baggage and can be offensive.
- Don't overuse güey with strangers — it's a term of familiarity and can come across as disrespectful if used too broadly.
- Don't say ahorita when you mean now — locals may smile but know you've picked up the joke.
Pronunciation Tips for Mexican Spanish
- Double L (ll) and Y are both pronounced like the English y in "yes" — llamar sounds like yamar.
- S is always crisp — unlike some Latin American dialects, Mexicans don't drop the S at end of words.
- Ch is always "ch" as in "cheese" — chido = "CHEE-doh."
- Güey is spelled with a silent G — just say way.
- Stress the second-to-last syllable in most words unless there's a written accent mark.
FAQ: Mexican Slang for Travelers
Q: Is Mexican Spanish very different from Spain Spanish? A: Yes — vocabulary, accent, and slang differ significantly. Mexicans generally understand Castilian Spanish, but some words mean completely different (sometimes vulgar) things across the Atlantic.
Q: What's the most useful single phrase for a first-time visitor to Mexico? A: ¿Dónde está el baño? (where's the bathroom) is purely practical, but ¿Qué onda? is the phrase that will make you a friend.
Q: Is it okay for foreigners to use Mexican slang? A: Absolutely — Mexicans tend to find it charming and funny when foreigners try. Just be mindful of context (don't drop vulgar slang in formal or elder company).
Q: How do I say "check, please" at a restaurant? A: "La cuenta, por favor." Alternatively, make a writing gesture in the air — universally understood.
Q: What does "No hay bronca" mean? A: "No problem" or "No worries" — bronca means trouble/fight, so "no hay bronca" = there's no trouble.
Learning a few dozen slang words won't make you fluent, but it will make you a guest that Mexicans remember fondly. ¡Órale, que te vaya bien!
