Spain Spanish vs Mexican Spanish

Mexico is a great choice for a vacation… amazing weather, great food, the jungle and the blue waters of the sea…

Mexican vacation view

I couldn’t get enough of that view when I went for Christmas one year. But this is not the point of this blog post! 

I am writing this to talk about the language. So, we all know that Spanish is the official language in 21 countries – one of them Mexico.

However it is crazy how different the same language can be sometimes🤯 even I had to think twice what words to use when speaking to the hotel staff! (some of them can put you in a very embarrassing situation). 

So I decided to make a list of the main words and differences you should be aware of if you decide to travel to that part of the world and use your Spanish language skills: 

Español de España 🇪🇸Español de México 🇲🇽Traducción al inglés 🇬🇧
Agua con gasAgua mineralSparkling water
AutobúsCamiónBus
BilleteBoletoTicket
JaquetaChamarraJacket
CogerAgarrar / TomarTo grab / To take
CocheCarroCar
QuererDesearTo want
GafasLentesGlasses
HabitaciónCuartoRoom
MelocotónDuraznoPeach
MóvilCelularCell phone
PiscinaAlbercaPool
ZumoJugoJuice

Oh! Before I continue sharing this list with you it is important to say that Spanish from Latin America has been slightly modified in comparison to Spanish from Spain due to its proximity to the United States.

That’s why you’ll find for some of the words in this next list to be more similar to English rather than to original Spanish 😜

Español de España 🇪🇸Español de México 🇲🇽Traducción al inglés 🇬🇧
AscensorElevadorElevator
Hacer la maletaEmpacarTo pack
OrdenadorComputadoraComputer
PedirOrdenarTo order
ReservaReservaciónReservation

Can you use Mexican Spanish in Spain or viceversa? Careful! Here’s where embarrassing situations can happen:

If you want to say “bus” in Spain by using the Mexican version “camión”, instead of the Spanish one “bus” or “autobús”, we will understand this:

camión or bus

If you want to say “car” in Spain by using the Mexican version “carro” instead of the Spanish one “coche” we will understand one of these:

carro or carriage

⚠️ Last and the most important one! If you want to say “to take” or “to grab” in Latin America, DO NOT use the verb “coger” as you would do in Spain! Overseas that means “to have sex!”. Use the verb “tomar” instead.

You can safely use any other words from the list above.

I hope you enjoyed this one!

Visit my blog to learn more about the Spanish language and culture!

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