mejicano
Lemma Details
Translation: Mexican
Part of Speech: adjective
Etymology: Derived from 'Méjico', an alternative spelling of 'México' (Mexico). This spelling with 'j' instead of 'x' reflects the Spanish pronunciation of the 'x' in México as the voiceless velar fricative /x/. The spelling with 'x' is the official one in Mexico itself and is preferred in modern Spanish, while the spelling with 'j' was more common historically and is still used in some contexts, particularly in Spain.
Commonality: 30%
Guessability: 80%
Register: less common
Mnemonics
- Remember that 'mejicano' (with 'j') is the alternative spelling of 'mexicano' (with 'x'), but both are pronounced the same way in Spanish.
- Think of the 'j' in 'mejicano' as representing the Spanish pronunciation of the 'x' in 'Mexico'.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Cultural Context
While 'mejicano' is grammatically correct, the spelling 'mexicano' is generally preferred in modern Spanish, especially in Mexico itself. The spelling with 'j' is sometimes seen as outdated or even potentially offensive to Mexicans, who prefer the spelling with 'x'. In Spain, the spelling with 'j' was traditionally more common but has been largely replaced by 'mexicano' in contemporary usage.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: Both 'mejicano' and 'mexicano' mean exactly the same thing and are pronounced identically. The difference is purely orthographic, with 'mexicano' being the preferred modern spelling, especially in Mexico itself.
Notes: In contemporary Spanish, especially in official contexts and in Mexico itself, the spelling 'mexicano' is strongly preferred over 'mejicano'.
Mnemonic: Remember that 'mexicano' with 'x' is the preferred modern spelling, while 'mejicano' with 'j' is an alternative spelling that was more common historically.