Mexican Slang Guide: 100 Essential Terms for Mastering Chilango Talk

Mexico’s capital, Ciudad de México, is a buzzing metropolis where millions of people converge daily—bringing along their distinct phrases, quirky idioms, and a never-ending reel of playful slang. If you’ve ever found yourself lost in a whirlwind of “wey,” “neta,” or “fresa” references, you’re not alone. Chilango talk—the slang unique to Mexico City and its surroundings—is colorful, constantly evolving, and irresistibly fun.

Whether you’re a traveler aiming to navigate the city like a local, or a language enthusiast looking to pick up on everyday banter, this guide of 100 essential Chilango slang terms will help you speak more naturally, unlock local culture, and possibly share a laugh or two with the new compas (buddies) you’ll meet along the way.

Why Learn Chilango Slang?

1. Real-Life Conversations

While standard Spanish is crucial for professional or formal situations, real, everyday Mexican Spanish—especially in CDMX (Ciudad de México)—teems with slang. Understanding these expressions shows you’re in tune with local culture and can break the ice instantly.

2. Cultural Insight

Slang reflects values, humor, and social contexts. By mastering a phrase like “Aguas!” you’re also connecting with centuries-old habits and local references.

3. Enjoy Media & Entertainment

From telenovelas to YouTube channels, Mexican pop culture frequently includes slang references. Knowing terms like “chido” or “no manches” helps you appreciate jokes, memes, and punchlines you’d otherwise miss.

Fun Fact: According to a 2020 Mexico City language poll, over 65% of young chilangos use slang daily—especially in texting and social media chats.

Quick Tips for Using Chilango Slang

1. Mind the Setting: Some words might be perfectly fine among friends but could be offensive in formal or family contexts.
2. Sprinkle, Don’t Overload: Using too much slang might sound forced or corny. Pick a few go-to words and let them flow naturally.
3. Tone & Body Language: Mexicans communicate with gestures and intonation. Combine your slang with confident body language.
4. Practice with Locals: There’s no better teacher than the streets themselves—listen, observe, and try a term or two with local friends.

Greetings & Everyday Expressions (1–10)

1. ¿Qué onda?
   • Meaning: “What’s up?” or “How’s it going?”
   • Usage: “¿Qué onda, wey? ¿Todo bien?”
2. ¿Qué tranza?
   • Meaning: Similar “What’s up?” but more edgy/urban vibe
   • Usage: “¿Qué tranza, bro? Tenía años sin verte.”
3. Órale
   • Meaning: “Wow,” “Right on,” or “Come on!” depending on context
   • Usage: “¡Órale! Ese coche está padrísimo.” (“Wow, that car is awesome.”)
4. Aguas
   • Meaning: “Watch out!” or “Be careful!” literally “waters.”
   • Usage: “¡Aguas con el escalón!” (“Watch out for the step!”)
5. No manches
   • Meaning: “No way!” or “You’ve got to be kidding!” (slightly toned-down form of “no mames”)
   • Usage: “¿Te ganaste la lotería? ¡No manches!”
6. Sale
   • Meaning: “Okay,” “Sure,” used to express agreement.
   • Usage: “Vamos al cine, ¿sale?” (“Let’s go to the cinema, alright?”)
7. ¡Órale pues!
   • Meaning: “Alright, then!” or “Come on, then!”
   • Usage: “¿Listo para irnos? ¡Órale pues!”
8. ¿Neta?
   • Meaning: “Really?” or “Seriously?” expressing disbelief or surprise
   • Usage: “¿Neta te mudas a Cancún?” (“Seriously, you’re moving to Cancún?”)
9. No hay bronca
   • Meaning: “No problem,” “No worries.”
   • Usage: “Si llegas tarde, no hay bronca.” (“If you arrive late, no worries.”)
10. Va
    • Meaning: “Ok,” “Alright,” short for “vale.”
    • Usage: “Va, nos vemos a las ocho.” (“Okay, see you at eight.”)

People & Friendship (11–20)

11. Wey / Güey
    • Meaning: “Dude,” “Man,” super common address among friends
    • Usage: “Oye wey, pásame la sal.” (“Hey man, pass me the salt.”)
12. Carnal
    • Meaning: “Bro,” “blood brother,” very affectionate
    • Usage: “Carnal, ¿cuándo jugamos fútbol?” (“Bro, when are we playing soccer?”)
13. Compa
    • Meaning: “Friend,” short for “compadre.”
    • Usage: “¿Qué dices, compa, todo chido?” (“What’s up, friend, everything cool?”)
14. Cuate
    • Meaning: “Buddy,” “pal,” used for close friends
    • Usage: “Ese es mi cuate desde la primaria.” (“He’s been my buddy since elementary school.”)
15. Morro / Morra
    • Meaning: “Boy” / “Girl,” referencing a younger person.
    • Usage: “Esa morra canta increíble.” (“That girl sings amazingly.”)
16. Chavo / Chava
    • Meaning: “Guy / Girl,” also “kid / young person.”
    • Usage: “La chava en la tienda fue muy amable.” (“The girl at the store was really nice.”)
17. Banda
    • Meaning: “Crew,” “gang,” or “group of friends.”
    • Usage: “¿Quién va a la fiesta? Toda la banda va, obvio.”
18. Raza
    • Meaning: “My people,” “crowd,” especially from northern Mexico usage.
    • Usage: “Hay que invitar a la raza a la carne asada.” (“We should invite everyone to the barbecue.”)
19. Chilango
    • Meaning: A person from Mexico City, used also as an identity marker.
    • Usage: “Soy chilango, nací y crecí en el DF.” (“I’m from Mexico City, born and raised.”)
20. Chavo banda
    • Meaning: “Street kid,” or youth from the block.
    • Usage: “De niño era chavo banda, ahora soy profe.” (“As a kid, I was a street kid, now I’m a teacher.”)

Expressing Emotions & Reactions (21–30)

21. ¡Ándale!

• Meaning: “Go ahead,” “Yes!” or “Right on!” encouraging or exclamation.
• Usage: “Ándale, sube a la bici y dale.”

22. ¡Uf!

• Meaning: “Wow,” “Phew,” or “That’s crazy.”
• Usage: “Uf, qué calor hace hoy.”

23. ¡Qué padre!

• Meaning: “That’s cool!” or “That’s awesome!”
• Usage: “¡Qué padre ese concierto!” (“That concert was awesome!”)

24. ¡No mames!

• Meaning: “No way!” or “You’ve got to be kidding!” can be strong or rude, so be cautious.
• Usage: “¿Ganaste la rifa? ¡No mames, qué chido!”

25. ¡Chale!

• Meaning: “Darn,” “Oh man,” expressing disappointment or frustration.
• Usage: “Chale, se me perdió el celular.”

26. ¡A poco!

• Meaning: “Really!?” in disbelief or surprise
• Usage: “¿A poco? No sabía que vivías en Roma Sur.”

27. Me late

• Meaning: “I like it,” “I’m down with it.”
• Usage: “¿Vamos al cine? Me late, vámonos.”

28. El mero mero

• Meaning: “The main guy,” “the boss,” literally “the top one.”
• Usage: “Ese es el mero mero de la banda.”

29. Está cañón

• Meaning: “It’s tough,” “That’s crazy,” or “That’s intense.”
• Usage: “El tráfico está cañón hoy.”

30. Puchis

• Meaning: Expression akin to “dang” or “aw man,” can be comedic or childish
• Usage: “Puchis, se me olvidó la cartera en casa.”

Food & Dining Slang (31–40)

31. Garnachas

• Meaning: Street foods or snacks, like tacos, quesadillas, etc.
• Usage: “Vamos por unas garnachas en el puesto de la esquina.”

32. Taquear

• Meaning: “To eat tacos,” from “taco.”
• Usage: “Voy a taquear con los cuates esta noche.”

33. Viene-viene

• Meaning: “Car parking assistant,” also used for “someone guiding you.”
• Usage: “El viene-viene me ayudó a encontrar lugar.”

34. A la plancha

• Meaning: “Grilled,” referencing cooking style
• Usage: “Dame un pollito a la plancha con rajas, porfa.”

35. Guajolocombo

• Meaning: Slang for breakfast combo with a “guajolota” (tamale in a bread) + atole.
• Usage: “Cada mañana me echo mi guajolocombo—perfecto y barato.”

36. Pásele, güerito

• Meaning: Street vendor call meaning “Come in, blondie!,” typically beckoning customers.
• Usage: “¿Quieres elote? Pásele, güerito, sabroso y caliente.”

37. Chelas

• Meaning: “Beers,” from “cervezas.”
• Usage: “¿Unas chelas frías? Suena perfecto.”

38. Chesco

• Meaning: “Soft drink,” from “refresco.”
• Usage: “Dame un chesco de naranja, porfa.”

39. Atole

• Meaning: Thick, warm drink made with corn. Slang for any hot thick beverage.
• Usage: “Con este frío, un atole cae bien.”

40. Ponerse hasta las chanclas

• Meaning: “To get very drunk,” literally “to get up to your sandals.”
• Usage: “En la fiesta de anoche, me puse hasta las chanclas.”

Internet & Tech Slang (41–50)

41. Chatear

• Meaning: “To chat,” from English “chat.”
• Usage: “Te chateo al rato por WhatsApp, ¿va?”

42. Postear

• Meaning: “To post,” from English.
• Usage: “Voy a postear las fotos de la fiesta en Instagram.”

43. Bajón

• Meaning: “Download” or “to lower,” can refer to dropping mood or “data usage.”
• Usage: “Tengo un bajón de datos, no me cargan las historias.”

44. Stalkear

• Meaning: “To stalk (someone) online,” from English “stalk.”
• Usage: “Estaba stalkeando tu perfil, me gustan tus fotos.”

45. Spoilear

• Meaning: “To spoil (a show or movie).”
• Usage: “No me spoilees la serie, apenas voy en el capítulo 3.”

46. Subir

• Meaning: “To upload,” or “to post.”
• Usage: “Voy a subir un video nuevo a mi canal.”

47. Emoticón

• Meaning: “Emoji,” from Spanish for emoticon.
• Usage: “Pon un emoticón de risa, me dio mucha gracia.”

48. Descargar

• Meaning: “Download,” commonly used in daily speech.
• Usage: “Descargué la app, está muy chida.”

49. Inbox

• Meaning: “Private message,” from English usage.
• Usage: “Mándamelo por inbox, no lo publiques en mi muro.”

50. Like

• Meaning: “Like,” from social media, used frequently in everyday talk.
• Usage: “Dale like a mi foto si te late.”

Love & Dating Slang (51–60)

51. Andar

• Meaning: “To be dating,” from “andar con alguien.”
• Usage: “¿Estás andando con ella o son sólo amigos?”

52. Ligarse

• Meaning: “To hook up with,” “to flirt successfully.”
• Usage: “Anoche se ligó a un chico en la fiesta.”

53. Quedar

• Meaning: “To meet up,” used in romantic or friendship context.
• Usage: “Vamos a quedar en el café a las 5.”

54. Estar clavad@

• Meaning: “To be head over heels,” from “clavado” meaning “nailed in.”
• Usage: “Él está bien clavado con su novia, no ve a nadie más.”

55. Dar el sí

• Meaning: “To say yes to a relationship,” literally “to give the yes.”
• Usage: “Le dio el sí, ya son novios formales.”

56. Grillar

• Meaning: “To gossip or talk about someone,” can also apply to romantic intrigue.
• Usage: “Lo están grillando por invitar a dos chavas a la vez.”

57. Tirar la onda

• Meaning: “To flirt,” literally “to throw the vibe.”
• Usage: “Me está tirando la onda desde ayer, ¿qué hago?”

58. Checar

• Meaning: “To check someone out,” also “to examine.”
• Usage: “Primero chécalo bien si es en serio, luego decide.”

59. Dar entrada

• Meaning: “To give a sign of interest,” “open the door” for romance.
• Usage: “Si no te da entrada, no insistas.”

60. Tener pegue

• Meaning: “To be popular (in a romantic sense),” literally “to have a pull.”
• Usage: “Ese chavo tiene pegue, todas le coquetean.”

Family & Daily Life (61–70)

61. La jefa / El jefe

• Meaning: “Mom/Dad” or “the boss,” used affectionately for parents.
• Usage: “La jefa me dijo que llegue temprano.”

62. Chamba

• Meaning: “Job,” from Mexican slang.
• Usage: “Tengo chamba en la mañana, no puedo salir tarde.”

63. Puros cuentos

• Meaning: “All talk,” “nothing but stories.”
• Usage: “Prometió ayudar, pero puros cuentos, ni vino.”

64. No me rajes

• Meaning: “Don’t bail on me,” from “don’t back down.”
• Usage: “Quedamos de ir, no me rajes a última hora.”

65. Echar flojera

• Meaning: “To laze around,” “to chill.”
• Usage: “Voy a echar flojera el domingo, no me molestes.”

66. Acomedido

• Meaning: “Helpful,” “obliging,” used ironically if someone is too helpful.
• Usage: “Ese compa es muy acomedido—siempre ayuda sin pedir.”

67. Fregar

• Meaning: “To annoy,” “to bother,” or “to wash (dishes).”
• Usage: “Deja de fregar, estoy ocupado.” or “Hay que fregar los platos.”

68. Tacones

• Meaning: “Heels,” referencing fancy dress or implying dressing up.
• Usage: “Se puso tacones, anda de fiesta.”

69. Ese paro

• Meaning: “Help me out,” from “do me that favor.”
• Usage: “Hazme ese paro, préstame tu coche un rato.”

70. Rola

• Meaning: “Song,” from “rolita.”
• Usage: “Pon la rola nueva de ese grupo, está buena.”

Negative Feelings & Frustrations (71–80)

71. Fregar la paciencia

• Meaning: “To test someone’s patience,” literally “scrub the patience.”
• Usage: “No me friegues la paciencia, ya dije que no.”

72. Atorado

• Meaning: “Stuck,” used for being in a jam or problem.
• Usage: “Estoy atorado con la renta, necesito dinero.”

73. Patán

• Meaning: “Jerk,” referencing a rude or mean person.
• Usage: “No salgas con ese patán, te va a lastimar.”

74. Pendej@

• Meaning: “Idiot” or “fool,” strong word, use with caution.
• Usage: “No seas pendejo, cuida tu dinero.”

75. Ay nanita

• Meaning: “Oh dear,” expressing fear or worry.
• Usage: “Ay nanita, me asustaste llegando de repente.”

76. Ya chole

• Meaning: “Enough already,” from older slang.
• Usage: “Ya chole con ese chisme, cambiemos de tema.”

77. No cuadra

• Meaning: “It doesn’t add up,” “Something’s off.”
• Usage: “Lo que dices no cuadra con lo que vi.”

78. Me lleva

• Meaning: “Darn it,” or “F**k,” a milder exasperation form.
• Usage: “Me lleva, se me cayó el celular al piso.”

79. Me da hueva

• Meaning: “I’m too lazy,” from “hueva” meaning “laziness.”
• Usage: “Hoy me da hueva salir, prefiero quedarme en casa.”

80. Ya valió

• Meaning: “We’re done for,” “It’s over,” literally “It’s gone worthless.”
• Usage: “Llegó el jefe y no hicimos nada—ya valió.”

Pop Culture & Trends (81–90)

81. Cámara

• Meaning: “Alright,” “See you,” from “ok, let’s do it.”
• Usage: “Cámara, nos vemos a las ocho.”

82. Mamey

• Meaning: “Muscular” or “built,” referencing a fruit to mean “strong.”
• Usage: “Ese chavo es bien mamey, va al gym diario.”

83. High

• Meaning: “Cool,” “high-level,” from English usage.
• Usage: “Ese outfit está high, se ve de lujo.”

84. Mamón

• Meaning: “Snob,” “arrogant,” somewhat offensive.
• Usage: “No seas mamón, ayúdame tantito.”

85. Tirar barrio

• Meaning: “Show off your neighborhood pride,” used in cumbia or rap contexts
• Usage: “Ellos tiran barrio en la fiesta, full style.”

86. A todo dar

• Meaning: “Great,” “awesome,” literally “at full give.”
• Usage: “La fiesta estuvo a todo dar anoche.”

87. Sigue la mata dando

• Meaning: “It keeps going strong,” referencing continuing success.
• Usage: “Su música sigue la mata dando—está en todos los charts.”

88. Pachanga

• Meaning: “Party,” “fiesta,” often for dancing nights.
• Usage: “Mañana hay pachanga en la casa de Ernesto.”

89. Estar bien pilas

• Meaning: “To be very alert,” “full of energy.”
• Usage: “Para la chamba nueva, estar bien pilas es clave.”

90. Tomar el palo

• Meaning: “To get the joke,” or “to follow along,” from comedic contexts.
• Usage: “Si no tomas el palo, te perderás la broma.”

Additional 10 Slang Gems (91–100)

91. Ya estuvo
    • Meaning: “That’s enough,” “We’re done,” “That’s it.”
    • Usage: “Ya estuvo, no discutas más.”
92. Sangrón
    • Meaning: “Annoying,” “jerk,” or “stuck-up.”
    • Usage: “No seas sangrón, we’re all friends here.”
93. En corto
    • Meaning: “Quickly,” “in short,” or “straight to the point.”
    • Usage: “Vamos en corto, no tenemos mucho tiempo.”
94. Hacer paro
    • Meaning: “Do me a favor,” from “help me out.”
    • Usage: “Hacer paro y préstame tu compu un momento.”
95. De pelos
    • Meaning: “Great,” “awesome,” literally “of hair.”
    • Usage: “El concierto estuvo de pelos, la pasé increíble.”
96. Pintar
    • Meaning: “To skip class,” literally “to paint.”
    • Usage: “Mañana pintamos la clase y nos vamos al cine, ¿jalas?”
97. ¡Jalas?
    • Meaning: “You in?” “You game?” from “jalar” (to pull).
    • Usage: “Vamos de road trip, ¿jalas?”
98. N’ombre
    • Meaning: “No, man,” or “Nah.” Contraction of “No, hombre.”
    • Usage: “N’ombre, esa idea no me convence.”
99. Pa’ su mecha
    • Meaning: “Holy cow,” “good gracious,” mild exclamation.
    • Usage: “Pa’ su mecha, se me olvidó la billetera.”
100. ¡Bola!
     – Meaning: “Let’s go together,” or “We’re all going,” from “bolita.”
     – Usage: “¡Bola para la fiesta! Los 5 juntos.”

Conclusion: Jump into Chilango Talk with Confidence

Listo! You’ve just absorbed 100 essential Mexican slang terms that’ll help you breeze through Chilango chatter—from street markets to after-hours hangouts. Whether you’re bargaining in Mercado de la Merced or joking with new friends in Condesa, these expressions are your golden ticket to sounding more like a local.

Final Tips

• Use Sparingly: Master a handful of phrases first—like “¿Qué onda?” or “No manches”—so you don’t overdo it.
• Listen & Observe: Watch local series, tune into Mexican stand-up, or eavesdrop in a café to catch context and intonation.
• Stay Polite: While slang is fun, always respect cultural norms. Avoid strong language with elders or in formal settings.

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Which slang phrase from this ultimate guide excites you the most? Share your favorites below in the comments! If you found this guide helpful, post it on social media or share with your traveling buddies. For more tips on global language and culture, subscribe to our newsletter.

Now, ánimo—go out there and say “¿Qué tranza?” with pride. Your new Chilango vocab awaits! Nos vemos, and have fun exploring the language side of Mexico City!

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