¡No te pases! — The Mexican Phrase that Calls Out Exaggeration
Welcome to one of Mexico’s most flexible, flavorful phrases. It’s short, punchy, and works for everything from “Don’t be rude” to “C’mon, that’s too much.” Let’s break it down.
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When Spanish learners hear Mexican speakers say ¿MANDE?, it often confuses them. It sounds as if a military commander is giving an order. But, relax! The real meaning is quite different.
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¡HÍJOLE! is one of the greatest of all Mexican Spanish expressions. But what does it really mean? Is it a word, a spell, or a mild seizure?
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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