Spanglish is a deriviative language that tourists have perfected over the years. To master it you must first memorize a few words in Spanish, but you cannot, under any condition, learn to pronounce them correctly. The words patio, taco, and sombrero do count, although over-use will make you stand out as a Spanglish amateur. After learning the words below you must try to throw them into a conversation to assure that our Mexican hosts will have absolutely no possibility of comprehension. How do I know all of this. I'm Spanglish expert!
Actually, one of the neat things about Cancun is that you don't really need to speak Spanish. But, it's fun to know a few words so you can at least drink beer and use the restroom using the proper language (those two go hand-in-hand you know).
Perry and I know very little Spanish, so don't expect this to be an Advanced course. Below are some words that we use, and the way we pronounce them. If they are slightly incorrect, it won't matter. They seem to work!
A map purchaser (who we'll allow to remain anonymous) shared this tale with us.
...Years ago, on the old Cancun busses, the locals would rap their knuckles on the metal roof, and yell "Bajan" when their stop was near. Of course, we wanted to pass this along to fellow tourists.
...Well, our stories unnamed tourist memorized the word long before vacation had even started, and was well prepared for the buses of Cancun. After a night of drinking he was eager to display his newfound knowledge of Mexican culture.
...So, with pride, he rapped his knuckles on the roof and yelled out "Bano!" The bus came to a halt at the next stop, the roar of laughter spilling out the windows. (Bano means bathroom in Spanish).
...The Spanglish name for this story is
"El Laugh-o Bus-o Tale-o". See how easy Spanglish can be!
Hello = Hola
Oh + La (La as in lost)
Thank You = Gracias
Gr + ah + see + us
In many bars you'll hear it pronounced "Grassy-ass".
This is not the correct pronunciation :-)
No = No
Combine this with Gracias when approached by timeshare salesmen
(To our many Timeshare employed friends, we appologize.).
Caliente = Hot
Cali (as in California + en (as in ten) + tay (as in stay)
Frio = Cold
Free + Oh
It's good to know because you'll find faucets marked C and F. The C DOES NOT mean COLD. Although outside of your hotel it may be hard to tell the difference. Often C and F come from the same pipe.
It's also a good thing to know in regard to food. I always get these confused. Last trip I ordered a deli sandwich and wanted it hot. Except I said Frio (it reminds me of fried).
Restaurant Words
The check = La cuenta
La (La as in lost) + cuenta sounds like a K + the word wayne. then add tu (as in tug) to the end.
Most waiters consider it rude to rush a guest by bringing the check. In many restaurants you'll have to ask for your bill..."La cuenta, por favor".
Please = Por Favor
Poor + Fa (as in fawn), then V + oar.
Water = Agua
Ah + Gua (as in Guatamala)
Purified Water = Aqua Purificado
See Agua above and add
Puri (as in Purify) + fi (as in fit), then cad (sounds like the fish cod), and an Oh at the end.
I don't think there is a restaurant in the tourist areas that doesn't use purified water in it's drinks and ice.
Uncarbonated = Sin gas
Sin gas is pronounced using typical English pronunciation. Some bottled waters have gas (are carbonated), so it's a good phrase to recognize.
Coke = Coca
as in Coca Cola
Beer = Cerveza
Sir + Bay + Su (as in suds)
Otra Vez = (literal translation is Other time)
Oh + Tru (as in Truck) + Base
Use this to get another beer. Hold up your empty bottle and say "Otra Vez"
To order two or more. Follow your Otro Vez by holding up
the appropriate number of fingers (the same in all languages : -).
Well Done = Bien cocida
Bee + En (as in hen) + Co (as in coat) + See + Duh
We order beef, pork, and chicken, "Bien cocida"
Propina = Tip
Pro + Pee + Na (sounds like Nun)
Some restaurants add a tip to the bill. Always check, but don't confuse the propina with the Mexican sales tax (I.V.A.). To ask whether the tip is included say:
Propina Incluido? = Tip included?
In + Clue + E + Doe (Doe, like the Deer)
If the tip is not included, often "La cuenta" (the check) will have "Propina No Incluido" written on it. Although it Cancun it may also say "Tip Not Included".
Restroom Words
Where is = Donde EstaDon + day + S + ta (sounds like Tom)
The Bathroom = El Bano
El + Ban + Yo (as in Yo-Yo)
Toilet Paper = Papel de Higenico
Pa (as in pad) + pale, then day, then Hi + jennie + co (as in code)
Don't learn how to say this word, but take those little packages of travel tissues with you. If you go exploring outside the tame tourist areas, you'll really appreciate this tip!
Similar Words
There are quite a few words that are similar in both English and Spanish.
Taxi is the same.
Bus is understood by everyone.
Patio is actually a Spanish word.
O.K. is commonly used in Spanish conversation.