10 Phrases You Won’t Learn in Spanish Class: Mexico Version

The 10 Phrases article I wrote about Argentina did so well that I decided to make one about México. A lot of these would be understood in other countries as well, but these are some go-to phrases to use in México that you won’t learn in your Spanish class! (And if you’re looking for dirty French phrases, we’ve got those, too!)

1. Chíngate

   Literal translation: “Fuck yourself”.
   Practical use: I think this one is pretty self explanatory.

2. No hay pedo

   Literal translation: “There is no fart”.
   Practical use: Basically this means “no problem”. Use it with friends, it’s not insulting but certainly not eloquent either.

3. No me mames/manches

   Literal translation: “Don’t suck me”.
   Practical use: Use this when you want to casually say “don’t mess with me” as in “This drink costs $10? No me mames!”

4. Cabrón

   Literal translation: “Bastard” or “dude”
   Practical use: This is a really popular and super Mexican word that changes meanings depending on context and tone. If you say it casually in a happy tone it like “cabrón” can mean “badass/cool” but if you say it angrily it can mean “bastard/asshole/dick”. There is also “¡Que cabrón!” which describes a situation and can be positive or negative depending on tone as well.

5. Pendejo

   Practical use: Dickhead, asshole, jerk

6. Ponerse los cuernos

   Practical use: To cheat on someone. For example, “Hace 1 año que él le pone los cuernos” -he’s been cheating for a year

7. Pinche

   Literal translation: “damned, fucking, terrible
   Practical use: You can basically through this in front of any word to show anger or distaste such as “pinche lugar” -This fucking place or “pinche vida”- This damned life

8. Estar Chingado

   Practical use: To be fucked. For example “No tenemos dinero. Estamos chingado” – We don’t have money, we’re fucked”

9. Mandar freir espárragos

   Literal translation: “Send to fry asparagus”
   Practical use: “To tell someone to screw off”. For example “Me llamó 10 veces, le mandé freir espáragos”- He called me 10 times, I told him to screw off.

10. Vete a la verga

    Literal translation: “Go to the dick”
    Practical use: “Go to hell” Perfect for anyone who pisses you off.

    I’d like to throw in a bonus phrase in honor of Alex’s fear of Mexico, “No quiero ser tu pinche mulo” – “I don’t want to be your fucking drug mule.”

Rease Kirchner a staff writer/Travel Adviser for Travelated. She is a US citizen currently living the ex-pat life in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She is bilingual and an experienced traveler. She loves gaining and sharing knowledge of local cultures, customs and adventure. Her blog Mi Vida en Buenos Aires documents her life as a foreigner.