Mexican Spanish vs Puerto Rican Spanish: 101 Spanish Words I Learned Watching El Chavo del 8 (2023)

FAQs

Is there a difference between Puerto Rican Spanish and Mexican Spanish? ›

While inhabitants of both countries belong to the ethnic group, Latino, and speak Spanish, they speak it differently. Mexican Spanish is slower, and their consonants sound more like “S” and “L” while Puerto Rican Spanish does not produce the “S” and “R” and leaves out the “D” and changes “R” to “L.”

Puerto Rico has developed a unique version of Spanish. The language was greatly influenced by Puerto Rico's history. Puerto Ricans integrated thousands of Taíno words, adopted some pronunciation habits from African dialects, and incorporated English words or phrases (known as "Spanglish") into the language.

Both Mexicans, as well as Puerto Ricans, are called Latinos, and they are Spanish speaking people. However, these are two quite different ethnicities. Puerto Rico was originally inhabited by Taino people while Mexico was inhabited by the Mayan and Aztec people.

Yes, they all will understand each other very well with the exception of the usage and meanings of many words and phrases. People from all over the world who speak Spanish, the same as English speaking people, can communicate without any major problem.

In parts of Puerto Rico, it's common to hear a French-style, back-of-the tongue, unusually long r in place of the normal Spanish trill. Puerto Ricans see this pronunciation as a distinctive marker of island identity, and therefore a source of either shame or pride — or both.

Titi, or "auntie," is Rosaura Andreu, an actress and stage star. She hit her prime with a 1953 children's TV show in Puerto Rico that endured for 30 years.

Why do Puerto Ricans call the bus “wawa”? Guagua (Wawa) is a Canary Island expression for bus. Puerto Rican Spanish (español puertorriqueño) is the Spanish language as characteristically spoken in Puerto Rico and by millions of people of Puerto Rican descent living in the United States and elsewhere.

Puerto Rico

Any type of cake, unless otherwise having a specific name (example: tres leches), is termed a bizcocho.

OMB defines "Hispanic or Latino" as a person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin regardless of race.

Mexican – Includes all citizens of Mexico regardless of race. Puerto Rican – Includes all persons of Puerto Rican descent. A member of any ethnicity, other than Hispanic.

How can you tell if someone is Puerto Rican? ›

To find out about your Puerto Rican ancestry, the most scientific way is to take an ancestry DNA testing kit which will give you a definitive answer.

Gracias (GRAH see us): Thank you

Another essential Spanish word any time you're staying at a beach resort in Puerto Rico.

¡Hola, hola! Hey!

Te quiero/Te amo.

In Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and some other Caribbean countries, guagua is how they call the bus. Some people say that this word comes from the English word: wagon, but there are others that state that it was because Wa Wa and Co.

As a result, Puerto Rican bloodlines and culture evolved through a mixing of the Spanish, African, and indigenous Taíno and Carib Indian races that shared the island. Today, many Puerto Rican towns retain their Taíno names, such as Utuado, Mayagüez and Caguas.

The “S” sound: Puerto Ricans will either completely ignore the S sound or turn it into H sound (something that can be found in other caribbean accents such as Venezuelan Spanish). This change also applies for the Z sound. This phenomenon will occur when the S is in the middle of a word or at the end.

Sweet oranges were brought to the New World by Portugal and in Spanish they were called naranja de China and naranja mandarina or tangerine. So china is the term adopted by Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, some parts of Venezuela and Yucatán.

DOMINICAN WORD OF THE DAY: Zafacón This word is used only in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico and means "trash can". Though some sources believe it's an anglicism from the word "safety can" I think it's more likely came from the word "zafar" which means to get rid of and comes from the Andalusian Arab word azāḥa.

What does wepa wepa mean? ›

What does wepa mean? Wepa is a versatile Latin-American Spanish slang exclamation used to express excitement, congratulations, and joy, similar to the English Oh yeah!, Wow!, or That's awesome!. Related words: awesomesauce.

Chula is Spanish slang for “cute” or “a beautiful woman,” often seen in mami chula (“hottie”).

Jevo / Jeva. These two words refer to a boyfriend or girlfriend in Puerto Rico.

1. Resaca. Resaca is the most common Spanish way to say “hang over” or “hung over.” It's popularly used in Spain, Argentina, Cuba, Peru and almost all of the Spanish-speaking countries.

mucus, the ~ Noun.

17. guial: Comes from the English “girl” and is used in Panama and Puerto Rico.

fool. El bobo se dejó engañar. The fool let himself be taken in. Es un bobo y no tiene criterio propio.

Although we use the word banana in Puerto Rico, we regularly refer to this delicious fruit, green or ripe, as GUINEO.

When I was in Puerto Rico people would say "buen brovecho" before every meal. It roughly translates to "enjoy your meal", and it became one of my favorite parts of the trip. I can't really explain why I loved hearing it so much.

White – A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa.

What do Native Puerto Ricans call themselves? ›

The Taíno name for Puerto Rico was Boriken. This is why Puerto Rico is now also called Borinquen by Puerto Rican people, and why many Puerto Ricans call themselves Boricua. Many Puerto Rican towns still have the original Taíno name (Caguas, Cayey, Humacao, Guayama and others).

Genetics and ethnicities

According to a 2015 genealogical DNA study of the Dominican population, their genetic makeup was estimated to be predominantly European and Sub-Saharan African, with a lesser degree of Native American ancestry.

In the 21st century, the principal destination for Puerto Ricans is the state of Florida, which today houses the largest concentration of Puerto Ricans, having surpassed New York state.

Puerto Rico was a Spanish Overseas Province for nearly 400 years. The bulk of Puerto Ricans' European ancestry is from Spain. In 1899, one year after the United States invaded and took control of the island, 61.8% of people were identified as White.

Hispanic or Latino origin includes people of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central and South American, Dominican, and other or unknown Latin American or Spanish origin. People of Hispanic origin may be of any race.

Puerto Ricans are proud of their cultural heritage and history, stemming from a mix of Taíno, Spanish, and African traditions. Whether it's through music, art, food, traditions, festivals, or one of many other bountiful options, culture is present—and waiting to be discovered—in every corner of this Caribbean paradise.

DNA evidence shows that most Puerto Ricans are a blending of Taino (Indian), Spanish and African according to studies by Dr. Juan Martinez-Cruzado. History is written by the conquerors. The Native peoples of North America know this all too well, as they are still trying to bring the truth to light.

If you want to know the most standard way of saying goodbye in Spanish, adiós is your go-to term. Let's hear how to pronounce it: Adiós. -Adiós.

Puerto Ricans Around the World

Why is it that our Puerto Rican parents always tell us "Dios te bendiga" -May God bless you, and we respond "Bendición" - Blessing?

In Spanish there are different responses for your first three sneezes, and they vary by region. The most well-known version tends to be used more in Latin America: salud (“health”) after the first sneeze, dinero (“money”) after the second, and amor (“love”) after the third.

How do Puerto Ricans say bro? ›

However, in Puerto Rican slang, the exclamation ¡Mano! is an abbreviation of hermano (brother). Indeed, in slang it's used to mean brother; however, as an exclamation, ¡Mano! roughly means “hey, bro!”

Broki. Many Puerto Rican slang words come from English. Broki is one of them; it comes from “brother,” and used in its broader sense: it can mean both a sibling or a close friend.

Papi (pah-pee) is the Spanish word for “daddy.” Many Spanish-speaking children use “papi” as an affectionate term for their dads, while Spanish-speaking adults even use “papi” as a cute nickname for their partner.

We call all of the women in our lives Mami not only our mother but our sister, girlfriend, cousin, nieces, etc. I find it hilarious when visiting my Mom in Puerto Rico, and have my nieces over, and I call them Mami, and my Mom is in the kitchen responding ¿Qué?; and I say, it's not you!

Chica – Girlfriend / Girl

Depending on the context, this expression can be translated either as 'my girl' or 'my girlfriend'. 'Chica' can be used either as a way to call your girlfriend or as a way to refer to her when talking to others.

The Spainards that originally arrived in Puerto Rico were from the Southern Castilian region of Spain. For that reason, the Spanish spoken in Puerto Rico most closely resembles the Spanish spoken in that region.

"To be considered Latina/Latino/Latinx, you or your ancestors must have come from a Latin American country: Mexico, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Cuba, French-speaking Caribbean nations, Central or South America (though English-speaking regions)." Someone with roots in those countries—or as in Puerto Rico's case, ...

The average Puerto Rican is made up of 12% Native American, 65% West Eurasian (Mediterranean, Northern European and/or Middle Eastern) and 20% Sub-Saharan African DNA, so don't be surprised if your family tells you that their ancestors came from somewhere utterly different to your expectations.

OMB defines "Hispanic or Latino" as a person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin regardless of race.

What 3 races make up Puerto Ricans? ›

Studies have shown that the racial ancestry mixture of the average Puerto Rican (regardless of racial self-identity) is about 64% European, 21% African, and 15% Native Taino, with European ancestry strongest on the west side of the island and West African ancestry strongest on the east side, and the levels of Taino ...

Hispanic or Latino

States. Many Latinos have come from Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Cuba and/or South America.

Definitely, the puertorrican pronunciation of the "ll" is more like as in "j" (Joe, Jill, Jack..."poh-joh") and even stronger. You will find all regions of PR pronounce it like that. There is no correct or incorrect Spanish pronunciation of "ll", it is totally a matter of accent and regions.

Native Spanish speakers around the world would agree that the Spanish from Puerto Rico is one of the most difficult dialects to understand.

Puerto Rico would be pronounced Puelto Rico. In certain regions, the R is never rolled. Instead the guttural R is used, which sounds identical to the R in French.

They don't usually call themselves Americans or "Americanos", but "Puertorriqueños" or "Boricuas." To most Puerto Ricans, "my country" means "Puerto Rico", not the United States. Boricua, derived from the Taíno word Boriken is used to affirm Puerto Ricans devotion to the island's Taíno heritage.

As Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, all Puerto Ricans living on both the island and stateside have US citizenship. At 9.6% of the Hispanic population in the United States, Puerto Ricans are the second-largest Hispanic group nationwide, after Mexican Americans and are 1.78% of the entire population of the United States.