mexicano
Wordform Details
Translation: Mexican
Part of Speech: adjective
Inflection Type:
masculinesingularIs Dictionary Form: Yes
Dictionary Form Details
Lemma Details
Translation: Mexican
Part of Speech: adjective
Etymology: Derived from 'México' (Mexico), the name of the country, plus the suffix '-ano' which forms adjectives indicating origin or belonging. The country name 'México' comes from Nahuatl 'Mēxihco', the name of the Aztec capital, possibly meaning 'place of the Mexica people' or 'in the navel of the moon'.
Commonality: 90%
Guessability: 95%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Mnemonics
- Sounds like 'Mexico' with the ending '-ano' which often indicates 'belonging to' in Spanish (similar to '-an' in English words like 'American').
- Think of the Mexican flag's colors (green, white, and red) to remember the word for someone or something from Mexico.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
The term carries strong national identity connotations in Mexico and among Mexican diaspora communities. It encompasses not just nationality but cultural heritage, traditions, and pride. In the United States, the term can sometimes be politically charged in immigration discussions.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: An alternative spelling of 'mexicano' that was more common historically but is now less frequently used. Both refer to the same concept but 'mexicano' is the standard modern spelling.
Notes: The 'x' vs 'j' spelling difference reflects historical changes in Spanish pronunciation. The 'x' in Mexico was originally pronounced like 'sh', then evolved to sound like 'j' in modern Spanish.
Mnemonic: 'Mexicano' with 'x' is the modern standard spelling, matching how we spell 'Mexico' in English.
Explanation: While 'mexicano' refers specifically to Mexico, 'americano' can refer to someone from the United States or more broadly to anyone from the Americas (North, Central, or South).
Notes: In Latin America, 'americano' often refers to someone from the United States, though some prefer the term 'estadounidense' to be more precise.
Mnemonic: Mexico is part of North America, but 'mexicano' is specific to Mexico while 'americano' is broader.