Glossary
What we don't know about Spanish pronunciation would fill vast
libraries. The following resource was prepared by Edgar Michel,
who was kind enough to inform us that Spanish has two kinds of accented
syllables—hard and soft. Well, you could have knocked us over
with a feather. We urge you to try your best to use these tips as
best as you can, but we take no responsibility for any misunderstandings
you might get yourself into.
Abrelata
ah-bray-LAH-ta
Can opener
Aceite
ah-SAY-tay
Oil (food oil)
Agua
ah-GWAH
Water
Agua mala
ah-GWAH MAH-lah
Stinging ocean fauna (literally, bad water)
Aguardiente
ah-gwahr-dee-EHN-teh
Firewater
Akumal
ah-koo-MAL
Quintana Roo beach town
Albañil
ahl-bah-nyeel
Construction worker, mason
Alborada
ahl-bow-RAH-dah
Dawn
Alfarería
ahl-fah-lah-REE-ah
Pottery store
Altiplano
ahl-tee-PLAH-no
High plateau
Altura
ahl-TOO-rah
Height
Amor
a-mohr
Love
Antillano
an-tee-YAH-noh
Caribbean (as in Antilles)
Antojitos
ahn-toe-HEE-toes
Appetizers
Arq. (Arquitecto)
ahr-kee-TEK-toe
Abbreviation for arquitecto—architect
Arroz
ah-ROHZ
Rice
Aspirina
ah-spee-REE-nah
Aspirin
Atún
ah-toon
Tuna
Ate
ah-TAY
Fruit paste
Azucar
ah-SOO-car
Sugar
Azucenas
ah-soo-SAY-nahs
Lilies, Cancun street
Azul
ah-ZOOL
Blue
Bacalar
bah-kah-LAHR
Lake and town in Quintana Roo
Batabe
bah-TAH-bay
Mayan leader under Spanish rule
Bebidas
beh-BEE-das
Beverages
Belize
beh-LEE-say
Former British Honduras
Blanca
BLAHN-kah
White
Boca
Boh-kah
Mouth
Bohemia
bo-EHM'ya
Bohemia, a brand of Mexican beer
Bolillos
bo-LEE-ohs
Hero-style, white-bread rolls
Bonampak
bo-nahm-pakh
Cancun street, town
Bonita
boh-NEE-tah
Pretty
Boquinete
bo-kee-NEH-tay
Eating fish (hog fish)
Botánica
bo-TAH-nee-kah
Indigenous drugstores
Brujo(a)
broo-ho (hah)
Witch
Caballero
kah-bah-YEAH-row
Gentleman, cavalier
Cabo
kah-bo
Cape
Calamar
kah-lah-MARR
Squid
Calle
kah-yeh
Street
Camino
kah-MEE-noh
Road
Campamentos
kam-pah-men-TOSS
Campgrounds
Caperucito
ka-peh-roo-SEE-toh
Little red riding hood
Caracol
carr-ah-KOL
Snail
Carbon
kar-bohn
Charcoal
Caribe
ka-REE-beh
Caribbean
Carnes Frias
kar-nes free-ahs
Cold cuts
Casa
KAH-sah
House
Caudillo
kah-oo-DEE-yoh
Leader, hero
Cebiche
seh-BEE-che
Diced fish marinated in lemon
Cedro
SEH-droh
Cedar
Cejas
SEH-hass
Eyebrows
Centro
SEN-troh
Center, downtown
Cerveza
cer-VEH-sah
Beer
Chabacano
chah-bah-KAH-noh
The apricot
Chac-Mool
chac-MOL
The rain god
Chakistes
cha-KISS-tess
Gnats
Champignones
cham-pee-GNO-ness
Mushrooms
Chaya
CHA-yah
Spinach-like vegetable
Chichén-Itzá
chee-chen-it-zah
Cancun street, town
Chico
chee-koh
Small, little boy
Chihuahua
chi-hwah-hwah
State
Chilam Balam
chee-LAM bah-LAM
One of the Mayan sacred books
Chiles en Escabeche
chee-less en es-kah-BEH-che
Pickled chiles
Chiquita
chee-KEE-tah
Little (feminine)
Cholula
choh-LOO-lah
Town in the state of Puebla
Chuletas
choo-LEH-taz
Chops
Cilantro
see-LAN-troh
Coriander
Circotes
seer-COH-tess
A plum-like fruit
Claveles
clah-BEH-less
Carnations
Coatepec
co-ah-teh-PEK
City in the state of Veracruz
Coatl
coh-ATL
Nahuatl word for Snake, also Twin or Brother
Cobá
koe-bah
Cancun street, town
Cocinas Económicas
coh-SEE-nass eh-coh-NOH-mee-k
Budget Kitchens
Colada
coh-LAH-da
Strained
Colima
coh-LEE-mah
State name
Colonos
coh-LOH-noss
Pioneers
Comida corrida
coh-MEE-dah coh-RREE-dah
Fixed price meal
Con trocitos
con troh-CEE-tohs
Chunky (as in peanut butter)
Condesa
con-DEH-sa
Countess
Condimentos
con-dee-MEN-toss
Flavorings
Correos
coh-RREH-oz
Post office
Costeña
coss-TEH-gna
Woman from the coast
Crema acidificada
KREH-ma ah-cih-dih-fih-CAH-da
Sour cream
Cacahuate
kah-kah-hwah-tay
Peanut
Cremosa
kreh-MOH-sah
Creamy
Crucero
kru-SEH-roh
Crossing
Cruz Roja
kroos ROH-ha
Red Cross
Cruzob
kroo-ZHOB
People of the cross
Cuate
coo-AH-teh
Buddy
Cuchara
koo-CHAH-rah
Spoon
Cuchillo
koo-CHEE-yoh
Knife
Cuenca
koo-EN-kah
River basin
Cumbre
koom-breh,
The summit, the top
Curandero
koo-ran-DEH-ro
Healer
Delegado
Deh-leh-gah-do
Local official
Delicia
deh-lee-see-ah, Delicacy
Dulces
dool-SEHS
Candy
Durazno
du-RAHS-no
Peach
Ehecoatl
e-heh-CO-atl
Mayan wind god
Ejidos
eh-HEE-doss
Government-sponsored cooperatives
Elote
eh-LOH-tay
Sweet corn
Empañadas
em-pah-GNA-dass
Breaded
Enchilados
en-chee-LAH-doss
In chile
Encomienda
en-koh-MEE-EN-dah
Royal land grant
Entero
en-TEH-roh
Whole
Especias
s-peh-see-ahs
Spices
Estragón
es-trah-gonn
Tarragon
Farmacia
far-mah-see-ah
Pharmacy
Faro
FAH-roh
Lighthouse
Filete de lomo
fee-LEH-teh deh loh-moh
Tenderloin
Fileteado
fee-leh-TEEA-doh
Boned, as in meat or fish
Fileteado en trozo
en TROH-soh
In a single piece
Finca
FEEN-kah
Farm
Flor
flor
Flower
Fonda
FON-dah
Inn, restaurant
Fracción
frac-xee-ON
Fraction
Fragata
frah-GAH-tah
Frigate
Fresa
FREH-sa
Strawberry, snob
Frijoles
free-HO-lehs
Beans
Fruterías
froo-teh-REE-az
Fruit stores, stands
Galletas
gah-YEH-tas
Cookies
Gansitos
gan-SEE-toss
Goslings
Giro
hee-ROH
Money order
Globo
GLOH-boh
Balloon
Golosinas
go-lo-SEE-nahs
Sweets, dainties
graciosa
grah-see-o-za
Funny (can mean gracious, depending on the context)
Gramos
GRAH-mos
Grams
Granos
GRA-noss
Grains, also coffee beans
Gringo
GREEN-go
Foreigner, especially American
Grito
GREE-toh
Yell
Guacamole
goo-ah-kah-MOH-leh
Avocado paste
Guayaba
gwah-YAH-ba
Guava
Habaneros
a-bah-NEH-ros
Very hot chile peppers
Habichuela
ah-bee-CHOO-eh-la
Stringbean
Helados
eh-LAH-dos
Ice cream
Henequén
eh-neh-KEN
Sisal hemp
Higado
EE-ga-doh
Liver
Horchata
orr-CHAH-tah
Drink made from rice starch, water and flavoring.
Huaraches
wa-rah-CHESS
Sandals
Huipil
oo-ee-PEEL
Woman's garment
Ing. (Ingeniero)
een-heh-NWYEH-roh
Engineer
Jalapeños
ha-la-PEHN-yos
Hot green chile peppers
Jamón
hah-MOHN
Ham
Japonesa
hah-poh-NEH-sah
Japanese
Jarocha
ha-ROH-cha
Person from Veracruz
Jugo
HOO-go
Juice
Langosta
lan-GOSS-tah
Beach
Lavandería
la-ban-deh-REE-ah
Laundromat
León
lay-OHN
Lion
Leche
LEH-chay
Milk
Lechería
leh-cheh-REE-ah
Dairy products
Libramiento
lee-brah-mee-n-TOH
Avenue, freeway
Licuadora
lee-kwa-DO-rah
Blender
Liebre
lee-EH-breh
Hare
Limonada
lee-mon-AH-dah
Lemonade
Limpiarlo
leem-pee-ARR-loh
Clean it
Lista de Correos
lees-TAH deh coh-RREH-oz
Mail list
Locura
loh-KOO-rah
Crazyness
Lomo de puerco
LOH-moh deh poo-ERR-koh
Loin of pork
Médica
MEH-dee-kah
Doctor, hospital
Mérida
meh-ree-dah
Capital of the state of Yucatan
Mañana
ma-GNA-na
Tomorrow
Macho
MAH-choh
Male
Maguey
ma-GEH-ee
Plant of succulent family
Mamey
mam-HEY
Fruit
Mandarina
mahn-dah-REE-na
Tangerine
Mango
MAN-go
Fruit
Mantequilla de Vaca
mahn-tay-KEE-yah deh VAH-kah
Butter
Manzana
man-ZAH-nah
Apple
Manzanillo
man-zah-NEE-yoh
City in Colima
Mayonesa
ma-yo-NEH-zsa
Mayonnaise
Mercado
mehr-CAH-do
Market
Mermelada
mehr-may-LAH-da
Jam
Mestizo
mess-TEE-sow
Racially mixed
Mezcal
mess-CALL
Alcoholic drink
Miel
myehl
Syrup
Miel de abejas
myehl deh ah-BEH-hass
Honey
Milanesa
mee-lan-EH-sah
Veal
Mitad
MEE-tad
Half
Moctezuma
moc-teh-ZOO-mah
Aztec Emperor
Molido
moh-LEE-do
Ground
Morelia
moh-REH-lee-ah
State
Mostaza
moss-TAH-zsa
Mustard
Nahuatl
na-wat-l
Indian language
Naranja
na-RAHN-ha
Orange
Necesito
neh-seh-SEE-toh
I need
Negro(a)
NEH-gro(a)
Black
Ni modo
nee MOH-do
Whatever
Nido
NEE-doe
Nest
Nopal
no-PALL
Cactus
Norte
NORR-teh
North
Novedades
noh-beh-DAH-dess
News
Novena
noh-BEH-nah
Ninth
Nueces
noo-EH-ces
Nuts
Nueva
noo-EH-bah
New
Oaxaca
oh-ah-HACK-ah
State
Oaxaqueña
oh-ah-ha-KE-gna
Oaxacan person
Pabellon
pah-bee-LONN
Mosquito netting
Palacio Municipal
pah-LAH-cioh muh-nee-see-pall
City Hall
Palancar
pah-lan-KARR
Reef
Palapa
pah-LAH-pah
Thatch
Paletas
pah-LEH-taz
Ice cream bars
Pan
pahn
Bread
Pan Integral
pahn enn-teh-GRALL
Whole wheat bread
Papas fritas
pah-pass FREE-taz
Potato chips
Papaya
pah-PAH-yah
Papaya
Papel amate
pah-PELL a-MAH-teh
Fig-bark papyrus
Parada
pah-RAH-dah
Stop
Parrilla
pah-RREE-yah
Grill
Paseo
pah-SEH-oh
Avenue
Pastel
pass-TEL
Cake
Pastelitos
pah-steh-LEE-tohs
Cupcakes
Pechuga
peh-choo-ga Chicken breasts
Pelicano
peh-LEE-kah-no
Pelican
Perico
peh-REEH-ko
Parrot
Perla
PERR-la
Pearl
Pimienta
pee-mee-YEHN-tah
Pepper
Pinguinos
peen-WEE-noss
Penguins
Playa
plah-yah
Beach
Policia
poh-lee-see-ah
Police
Pollos
poh-yoss
Chicken
Polvo
poll-boh
Dust, Powder
Posada
poh-sah-dah
Inn
Queso
KEH-soh
Cheese
Quetzal
ket-ZAL
Bird name
Quetzalcoatl
ket-zal-KOH-atl
The planet Venus, an Aztec deity
Quincena
kenn-SEH-nah
Fortnight, payday
Quinientos
keen-NWYEN-toss
500
Quintana Roo
keen-TAH-nah rroh
State
Rajas
RAH-hass
Chile pepper slices
Real
reh-al
Royal
Refrescos
reh-FRES-koss
Soda pop
Refrigerador
re-free-he-rah-DOHR
Refrigerator
Refritos
reh-FREE-tohs
Refried beans
Rio Hondo
REE-oh ON-doh
Deep river
Romero
roh-MEH-roh
Basil
Rosticería
ross-tee-seh-REE-ah
Rotisserie
Rey
rei
King
Sal
sahl
Salt
Salada
sah-LAH-dah
Salted
Salbutes
sall-BOOH-tess
Fried corn dumplings with beans
Salchichonería
sahl-chi-cho-neh-ree-yah
Cold cuts store
Salsa
SALL-zsa
Sauce
Salsa Verde
sall-za berr-deh
Mild, green chile sauce
Sandia
san-dee-ah
Watermelon
Saramullo
sa-rah-MOO-yo
Fruit
Semana Santa
seh-MAH-nah san-tah
Holy week (Easter)
Sierra
see-eh-rrah
Peaks, saw
Sitio
SEE-tee-oh
Taxi stand
Sopes
SOH-pess
Fried corn dumplings
Sunyaxchén
zoon-jax-chen
Cancun street, town
Supermanzanas
zoo-perr man-ZAH-nass
Neighborhoods
Supermercado
zoo-perr merr-KAH-do
Supermarket
Tábano
tah-bah-no
Large yellow biting fly
Típico
tee-pee-koh
Typical
Tampiqueña
tam-pee-KEH-gna
From Tampico
Tankah
tan-kah
Cancun street, town
Tenedor
teh-neh-DOHR
Fork
Ternero
ter-neh-roh
Young one, tender
Tezcatlipoca
tess-kah-tlee-POH-kah
The planet Mars, an Aztec deity
Tia
tee-ah
Aunt
Tikin-xic
tee-keen-shick
Local fish dish
Tila
TEE-lah
Herbal tea
Tilma
TEAL-mah
Male garment
Tlaloc
tlah-lock
Rain god
Tomillo
toh-MEE-yo
Thyme
Torta
TORR-ta
Sandwich
Tortuga
torr-TOO-gas
Turtle
Tos
toss
Cough
Tostaditas
toss-tah-DEE-taz
Fried corn tortilla chips
Tostado
toss-TAH-do
Toasted
Transito
tran-see-toh
Traffic police or department
Tres cientos
trehs see-n-toss
300
Trompo
TROM-poh
Top (as in child's toy)
Trucha
TROO-cha
Trout
Tulipanes
too-lee-PAH-ness
Tulips
Tulum
tuh-loom
Town with ruins in Quintana Roo, Cancun street name
Tuna
TOO-nah
Fruit of the nopal cactus
Turismo
too-REES-mo
Tourist, travel, touring
Uxmal
OOK-shh-mal
Cancun street, town
Vainilla
vai-NEE-yah
Vanilla
Valladolid
bah-yah-do-leed
City in Yucatán
Venado
beh-NAH-do
Deer, or venison
Verde
berr-deh
Green
Vibora
BEE-boh-rah
Viper
Vigésimo
bee-heh-see-moh
Twentieth
Vitrina
bee-TREE-nah
Window
Xcaret
shh-kah-reht
Cancun street, town
Xel-Ha
shell-ha
Cancun street, town
Xpuhil
ish-poo-HEEL
Cancun street, town
Yaxchilán
yaks-chee-LAHN
Mayan ruins, Cancun street
Yucateco
yoo-ka-TEH-koh
From Yucatan
Zancudo
zan-KOO-do
Mosquito
Zapote
zah-POH-teh
Fruit
Zapote Negro
zah-POH-teh neh-gro
Fruit
Zona de Tolerancia
ZOH-nah deh to-le-RAN-see-ah
Red-light district
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