Spain Spanish vs. Mexican Spanish - Know the Difference

Spanish is a rich language impressive through its culture and linguistic peculiarities. With over 500 million speakers worldwide, Spanish has two major variations rooted in geographical and historical contexts - Spain Spanish, also referred to as Castellano or Castilian Spanish, and Mexican Spanish. Let's explore the main differences between Spain and Mexican Spanish and find out how Spanish speakers use them in terms of pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and more.

Why should we know the difference in the first place? Clearly distinguishing the two variants can help learners choose the one they need. Someone who plans a trip to Spain needs to ensure it's Spain Spanish they are learning. However, if the destination is Latin America, you need to sign up for courses teaching Mexican Spanish.

Disclaimer: The terms Spain Spanish and Mexican Spanish are not linguistically accepted, we use them for the sake of simplicity. To correctly refer to the two variations, you can say Spanish spoken in Spain and Spanish spoken in Mexico.

Spanish speaking countries

Spanish is spoken in 20 countries worldwide, including Spain, Mexico, most of Central America, and parts of South America, such as Argentina, Colombia, and Peru, as well as in the United States, where a significant Hispanic population thrives.

Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world, after Mandarin Chinese. It also is one of the six official languages of the United Nations, together with Arabic, Chinese, English, French, and Russian. Spanish is widely used in business and education, and it opens excellent career opportunities, especially in customer-facing roles.

The popularity of the Spanish language can largely be attributed to its colonial past. As Spain explored and colonized vast territories, its language spread, too. In each territory, Spanish evolved together with the local language. As a result, unique dialects emerged. Mexican Spanish adopted indigenous words and phrases. In the Caribbean, Spanish picked up influences from African Languages, while the Argentine variant clearly distinguishes itself by using "vos" instead of "tú" for the informal "you."

Pronunciation differences

One of the first differences you will notice between Spanish and Mexican Spanish is pronunciation. Each dialect has distinct characteristics. In Spain, "c" and "z" before "e" or "i" are pronounced like the English "th" in "think," while in Mexico, the same letters sound like the English "s" in "sun." Letters "b" and "v" are pronounced similarly in Spanish. However, people who live in Mexico pronounce the "v" more distinctly, closer to its English equivalent.

Vowel sounds

In Spain, especially in regions such as Madrid, vowels are pronounced more open. For instance, the e resembles the one you'd say in the English word "bed." Those who speak Mexican Spanish use a slightly more closed vowel sound, giving it a softer tone. The u sound is more pronounced and rounded in Mexican Spanish.

Intonation and Rythm

Intonation patterns in Spain and Mexico differ. In Spain, the intonation has a more dramatic rise and fall, resulting in a more expressive tone. Mexican Spanish tends to have a flatter intonation.

Spanish speakers from Spain often speak faster, making it more challenging for non-native speakers to understand them. In contrast, Mexican Spanish is generally characterized by a slower rhythm, allowing a clearer articulation of each word. That makes Mexican Spanish a bit more accessible for Spanish learners.

Vocabulary

While both dialects share a significant amount of vocabulary, everyday terms can differ in surprising ways. For instance,  the Spanish word for potato is "patata" in Spain and "papa" in Mexico. Also, the word pen varies with "bolígrafo" in Spain and "pluma" in Mexico. 

Diminutives are relatively frequent in the Spanish language. In Spain, they are formed with the suffix "-ito" or "-ita." For instance, "gato" (cat) becomes "gatito" (kitten), and "casa" (house) turns into "casita" (little house). In Mexico, the same words transform similarly.

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Regional expressions

Spain Spanish and Mexican Spanish differ on a regional level as well. The rich variety of Spanish dialects includes Andalusian Spanish and Catalan-influenced speech. Mexican Spanish stands out for its extensive use of regional expressions influenced by indigenous languages and local cultures.

Borrowings

Both Spain and Mexico have integrated a wide range of borrowings and loanwords from other languages. For example, the word "jardinería," meaning "gardening," comes from French and is common in both Spain and Mexico. The English word "fútbol" is recognized in the Spanish-speaking world, with both Spain and Mexico using it as the primary word for "soccer." Another English borrowing method is "sandwich," which is utilized by those who speak Spanish in both Spain and Mexico. 

Same Word - Different Meanings

Some words look the same in the two variants, but carry different meanings in Spain Spanish vs Mexican Spanish. For example, "pana" means "bread" in Spain but can mean "mate" (buddy, friend) in Mexico. The word "largo" means "long" in Spain, while in Mexican Spanish, it can refer to something that takes a long time to complete, such as a "largo proceso" (long process). Another example is "sensible," which means "sensitive" in both dialects, but in Spain, it can be used to refer to someone who is considered sensible or reasonable. In contrast, in Mexico, it tends to retain its meaning related to emotional sensitivity.

Grammar differences

While the two Spanish dialects share a fundamental grammatical structure, there are differences between Spanish in Spain and in Mexico.

Using Voseo

First, let’s clarify that "voseo" is a linguistic term referring to using the formal "vos" instead of "tu" to address someone informally. Of course, the verb conjugation changes accordingly. This form is mainly found in several regions of Latin America, like Argentina and Uruguay, and parts of Central America, such as Guatemala and El Salvador. Mexican Spanish prefers "tu" for informal address.

Tenses and Conjugations

In addition to using pronouns, some tenses can vary between Spain and Mexico. For example, in Spain, the present perfect tense is preferred when discussing recent past actions. In contrast, Mexican Spanish favors the simple past tense ("comí") in everyday contexts. 

Literature and Arts

Spanish literature is represented by figures like Miguel de Cervantes, the creator of the famous "Don Quijote." Prominent names include Gabriel García Márquez, Lope de Vega, Isabel Allende, Federico Garcia Lorca, and many others. Painters like Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali, pushing the boundaries of creativity and surrealism, are also worth mentioning.

Mexican literature is intertwined with themes of identity and social struggles. Famous writers include Octavio Paz, best known for  "The Labyrinth of Solitude," and Juan Rulfo, whose colorful stories in "Pedro Páramo" paint the Mexican experience. Visual artists like Frida Kahlo, whose evocative self-portraits are famous worldwide. Another representative, Diego Rivera, is known for his impressive murals depicting the history and struggles of the Mexican people.

Literature and arts contribute to the vibrant cultural background and make understanding certain social nuances and concepts easier.

Food and Celebrations

You will notice essential differences from a culinary aspect. Spain offers tapas and paella, while Mexico is famous for its tacos, mole, and regional dishes that incorporate diverse ingredients and flavors. 

Regarding celebrations, Spain revels in fiestas and traditions like La Tomatina. Mexico’s vibrant Dia de los Muertos and Cinco de Mayo highlight its deep cultural roots and community spirit.

Learn Spanish with FunEasyLearn

While there are specific differences between the Spanish spoken in Spain and the Mexican variation, the basics are the same. So, if you learn one variation, you will typically get by with the other one without resorting to translation services. You can always look at the differences before a trip or clarify some nuances during conversations with native speakers.

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Summing Up

Spain Spanish (Castilian) and Mexican Spanish are variations with distinct pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. Spain Spanish features open vowels, a more dramatic intonation, and faster speech, while Mexican Spanish has a softer tone and slower rhythm. Vocabulary differences include different words for the same concept or similar words with different meanings in each of the two variants. Some words are pronounced differently. However, the two dialects are mutually intelligible, and native speakers will usually understand you regardless of the version you’re using.

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