Why Mexicans Say ‘Ratero’: A Complete Guide for Spanish Learners
Learn what RATERO means in Mexican Spanish. Discover its real usage, pronunciation, examples, and cultural context—explained for English speakers.
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LATEST POSTS
What “Güero” Really Means in Mexican Spanish — More Than Just ‘Blonde’
Discover what “güero” really means in Mexican Spanish—why locals call you güerito at the market, and how this word expresses warmth and affection.
Guajolote: The Mexican Word for Turkey (and Its Surprising Cousin, the Guajolota)
DISCOVER the origins of the Mexican word guajolote (turkey) and its Nahuatl roots. Learn how Mexicans use it in everyday speech—and don’t miss the delicious twist: the guajolota, a tamale sandwich that’s pure street-food genius.
THE BENEFITS OF LEARNING COUNTRY SPECIFIC SPANISH
Babe knew the secret
In the 1995 movie Babe the little piglet had a major challenge: he needed to communicate with the sheep in order to win the sheep herding competition. The secret? The following password: “Baa-ram-ewe! Baa-ram-ewe! To your breed, your fleece, your clan be true! Sheep be true! Baa-ram-ewe.” And voilà! Suddenly, the sheep obediently followed his instructions. Babe became a champion! In the same way, when we learn a foreign language, we must also familiarize ourselves with country-specific vocabulary to convey our thoughts effectively with others.
EXAMPLES FROM THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING WORLD
Need to go?
To ask this most basic question in the English-speaking world is not as easy as you think. You must take into account the variety of English spoken in the country you are visiting. Depending on where you are, you might ask for a ...
BATHROOM
UNITED STATES
WASHROOM CANADA
WASHROOM CANADA
WATER CLOSET OR LOO
UNITED KINGDOM
DUNNY AUSTRALIA
DUNNY AUSTRALIA
EXAMPLES FROM THE SPANISH-SPEAKING WORLD
Do blondes have more fun?
You might imagine that the word for blonde in Spanish would be standard everywhere, but not so. To refer to a blonde, you would have to mention a ...
GÜERA
MEXICO
CHELA NICARAGUA
CHELA NICARAGUA
MACHA
COSTA RICA
FULA PANAMA
FULA PANAMA
Insider Spanish: Your guide to country-specific Spanish
Our guides to Spanish are not meant to teach you basic vocabulary. Rather, we highlight the most common local words, idioms, and sayings that are spoken almost exclusively within the country you are visiting—all explained in plain English with examples and clear translations. Click on the links on the menu or read some of the latest posts below. If you do, we're confident that in short order you'll be feeling like an insider.
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