Castilian Spanish vs Mexican Spanish: Differences and How to Choose (2024)

If you’re reading this, you’re probably interested in taking a deep dive into the world of Spanish. But wait… did you know that there some some differences with the Spanish spoken in Spain vs how it’s spoken in Mexico? That’s right! Today, we’ll explore the key differences between Castilian Spanish (from Spain) and Mexican Spanish. Let’s dive right in, amigos!

Pronunciation 🎤

One of the most distinctive differences is the pronunciation. In Castilian Spanish, the ‘z’ and ‘c’ (before ‘i’ and ‘e’) are pronounced with a ‘th’ sound, like the English ‘th’ in ‘think’. In contrast, Mexican Spanish pronounces them like an ‘s’.

For example:

• Zapato (shoe)
  • Castilian: /θaˈpato/ (“tha-pah-toh”)
    • Listen:
  • Mexican: /saˈpato/ (“sah-pah-toh”)
    • Listen:
• Cerveza (beer)
  • Castilian: /θerˈβeθa/ (“ther-veh-thah”)
    • Listen:
  • Mexican: /serˈβesa/ (“ser-veh-sah”)
    • Listen:
• Gracias (thank you)
  • Castilian: /ˈɡraθjas/ (“grah-thyahs”)
    • Listen:
  • Mexican: /ˈɡrasjas/ (“grah-syahs”)
    • Listen:
• Cocina (kitchen)
  • Castilian: /koˈθina/ (“koh-thee-nah”)
    • Listen:
  • Mexican: /koˈsina/ (“koh-see-nah”)
    • Listen:
• Barcelona (name of a city in Spain)
  • Castilian: /barθeˈlona/ (“bar-the-loh-nah”)
    • Listen:
  • Mexican: /barseˈlona/ (“bar-seh-loh-nah”)
    • Listen:

In Mexican Spanish, ‘s’ sounds are often softer compared to the sharp ‘s’ in Castilian.

Vocabulary

Both versions have unique words and expressions.

For instance,

• Computer in Castilian Spanish is ordenador while in Mexican Spanish it’s computadora.
• Car in Spain is often referred to as coche, whereas in Mexico, it’s commonly called carro or auto.

Here are 3 others:

1. Peach
   • Castilian: Melocotón
     • Listen:
   • Mexican: Durazno
     • Listen:
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2. Straw
   • Castilian: Pajita
     • Listen:
   • Mexican: Popote
     • Listen:
3. Juice
   • Castilian: Zumo
     • Listen:
   • Mexican: Jugo
     • Listen:

Grammar and Usage

In Castilian Spanish, the informal plural “you” is vosotros, while in Mexican Spanish, ustedes is used for both formal and informal plural “you”. The verb conjugation also changes:

Some examples:

1. You (informal, plural) speak
   • Castilian: Vosotros habláis
     • Listen:
   • Mexican: Ustedes hablan
     • Listen:
2. Do you (informal, singular) want…?
   • Castilian: ¿Tú quieres…?
     • Listen:
   • Mexican: ¿Quieres…? (Often the “Tú” is dropped)
     • Listen:
3. You guys
   • Castilian: Vosotros
     • Listen:
   • Mexican: Ustedes
     • Listen:
4. To take (transport)
   • Castilian: Coger (Note: ‘coger’ is vulgar in Mexico)
     • Listen:
   • Mexican: Tomar
     • Listen:
5. Possessive Pronouns with ‘tú’
   • Castilian: Tu libro (your book, with no accent on ‘tu’)
     • Listen:
   • Mexican: Tu libro (same as Castilian, but in some regions, it’s common to hear ‘tú’ with an accent even for possessive: ‘tú libro’)
     • Listen:

Slang and Expressions

Mexican Spanish has a rich collection of slang and informal expressions, many of which don’t exist in Spain. Mexican slang is colorful and infused with words from indigenous languages. In contrast, Castilian Spanish has its own set of slang expressions, often derived from regional dialects.

Some examples:

1. Cool!
   • Castilian: ¡Qué guay!
     • Listen:
   • Mexican: ¡Qué padre!
     • Listen:
2. Wow!
   • Castilian: ¡Jolín!
     • Listen:
   • Mexican: ¡Órale!
     • Listen:
3. Dude
   • Castilian: Tío/Tía
     • Listen:
   • Mexican: Wey
     • Listen:
4. To be broke
   • Castilian: Estar pelado
     • Listen:
   • Mexican: Estar quebrado
     • Listen:
5. A lot
   • Castilian: Un montón
     • Listen:
   • Mexican: Un chorro
     • Listen:

Addressing People

In Castilian Spanish, tú and vosotros are used informally to address someone, while usted and ustedes are formal. However, in Mexican Spanish, ustedes is used in both formal and informal settings.

For example:

1. You (informal, singular)
   • Castilian: Tú (e.g., ¿Tú quieres café?)
     • Listen:
   • Mexican: Often just the verb is used without “tú” (e.g., ¿Quieres café?)
     • Listen:
2. Buddy/Friend
   • Castilian: Colega
     • Listen:
   • Mexican: Compa or Carnal
     • Listen:
3. Man/Guy
   • Castilian: Chaval
     • Listen:
   • Mexican: Chavo
     • Listen:
4. Girl
   • Castilian: Chavala
     • Listen:
   • Mexican: Chava
     • Listen:
5. Mister
   • Castilian: Señor
     • Listen:
   • Mexican: Also “Señor,” but sometimes “Don” is used before the first name (e.g., Don José)
     • Listen:
6. Miss
   • Castilian: Señorita
     • Listen:
   • Mexican: Also “Señorita,” but sometimes “Doña” is used before the first name (e.g., Doña María). Be sure to use Doña ONLY when addressing someone old enough to be your granny or you’ll definitely hear about it!
     • Listen:
7. Dude (friendly)
   • Castilian: Tronco
     • Listen:
   • Mexican: Güey or Wey
     • Listen:
8. You (informal, plural)
   • Castilian: Vosotros (e.g., ¿Vosotros queréis ir a la playa?)
     • Listen:
   • Mexican: Ustedes (e.g., ¿Ustedes quieren ir a la playa?)
     • Listen:
9. Brother (as in a close friend)
   • Castilian: Hermano (often shortened to “Hermano”)
     • Listen:
   • Mexican: Bro or Hermano (sometimes used like “Cuate”)
     • Listen:
10. Ma’am
    • Castilian: Señora
      • Listen:
    • Mexican: Señora or Doña (e.g., Doña María)
      • Listen:

The video below is an excellent summary!

Advanced Spanish Learning

For advanced Spanish learning, understanding the nuances between the two can be highly beneficial. Familiarize yourself with idiomatic expressions, cultural references, and subtleties in pronunciation.

Basic Spanish Learners

If you are just beginning to learn basic Spanish, focus on either Castilian or Mexican based on your interest, travel, or work preferences. You can always pick up the variations later.

Conclusion

Whether you’re dreaming of sipping Sangria in Spain or craving Tacos in Mexico, understanding the differences between Castilian and Mexican Spanish can only enrich your linguistic journey. While both variants do have unique attributes, it’s crucial to remember that Spanish is a universally shared language and you’ll be understood by Spanish speakers everywhere.

The key is to focus on the type of Spanish most accessible to you and not to stress too much over which variant to choose. After all, the beauty of language lies in its ability to bridge cultures, so embrace the common ground, appreciate the distinct nuances, and enjoy the diverse tapestry that makes up the Spanish-speaking world.

¡Buena suerte con tu aprendizaje! (Good luck with your learning!)