“¡Aguas!” — The Many Meanings of This Splashy Mexican Spanish Expression

IF YOU ever hear a Mexican suddenly shout “¡Aguas!”, don’t assume someone’s offering you a glass of water. In fact, you might want to duck, run, or at least pay attention — because this seemingly simple word has a few very specific, very Mexican meanings, none of which involve actual hydration (well, usually).

Let’s dive into the slippery world of “¡Aguas!” — no floaties needed. 🏊

1. Watch out! / Be careful!

This is the most common meaning, and it’s used to warn someone about imminent danger, big or small.

🗣️ Mexican says:

⚽ ¡Aguas con el escalón!

🏈 Watch out for the step!

Think of it like “Heads up!” or “Careful!” in English. It’s what you yell when your friend is about to walk into a glass door or spill hot salsa on their lap.

💡 Why “aguas”? Some say it dates back to colonial times, when people used to throw dirty water (yes, like human waste 💩) out the window and shout “¡Aguas!” as a warning. Romantic, right?

2. Police alert in street slang

Among street vendors or people in “less-than-legal” situations, “¡Aguas!” is code for: “The cops are coming!” 👮

🗣️ Mexican says:

⚽ ¡Aguas, ahí viene la tira!

🏈 Watch out, the cops are coming!

🎬 Picture a guy selling pirated DVDs at the metro — someone spots a patrol, and suddenly everyone scatters like pigeons. That’s ¡Aguas! in action.

3. Heads-up for drama / social warning

Sometimes, “¡Aguas!” is used when someone’s about to say or do something that might cause trouble — not physical, but emotional, relational, or just extra messy.

🗣️ Mexican says:

⚽ Le vas a decir eso a tu suegra… ¿neta? ¡Aguas!

🏈 You’re really going to say that to your mother-in-law? Seriously? Watch out!

It’s basically your friend saying, “Girl, you’re walking into a soap opera — proceed with caution.”

4. Literal water warning (rare but possible)

OK, technically “¡Aguas!” could mean “Look, water!” — like if someone’s about to step in a puddle or get splashed.

🗣️ Mexican says:

⚽ ¡Aguas, te vas a mojar!

🏈 Watch out, you’re gonna get wet!

But let’s be real — by now, the expression is so figurative that when someone shouts “¡Aguas!”, you’re probably not thinking about rain. 🌧️

So… What should you do when you hear “¡Aguas!”? Simple:

• 🦶 Freeze

• 👀 Look around

• 🧠 Figure out if you’re about to:

  1. Trip over something
  2. Get in trouble
  3. Cause drama
  4. Be hit with actual water

Whatever the case — take it seriously, but feel free to laugh later. Especially if the “danger” was just your friend’s chihuahua charging at you like it owns the block. 🐶

Final Splash 💦

Mexican Spanish is full of colorful expressions, and “¡Aguas!” is a perfect example of how one little word can mean so much — danger, drama, and dirty jokes all rolled into one syllable.

So next time someone yells “¡Aguas!”, you’ll know better than to look for a glass.