Mexico City Travel Spanish: Phrases Locals Actually Use

Mexico City (CDMX) is one of the world's great food and culture capitals, and locals are famously warm when you try their Spanish. Here's the vocabulary that makes a difference.

Greetings and politeness, chilango style

• ¿Qué onda? — What's up?
• ¿Mande? — Pardon? (polite, very Mexican)
• Con permiso — Excuse me (to pass)
• Provecho — Enjoy your meal (said to people eating, even strangers)
• Joven / señorita — used to address staff politely

See Mexican Spanish slang.

Coffee and pan dulce

• ¿Me da un café con leche y una concha?
• ¿Tiene café de olla? — spiced Mexican coffee
• Para llevar. — To go.

See order coffee in Spanish.

Street food

• ¿Me da tres de pastor? — Three al pastor tacos, please.
• Con todo. — With everything (onion, cilantro).
• ¿Pica? — Is it spicy?
• Una de suadero / de bistec / de campechano.
• ¿Cuánto le debo? — How much do I owe you?
• ¿Me da una servilleta? — Can I have a napkin?

See Mexican food vocabulary.

Getting around

• ¿Dónde está la estación de metro?
• ¿Qué línea va a Coyoacán?
• Un boleto, por favor.
• el Metrobús — the bus rapid transit system
• el pesero / la micro — local minibuses

See taxis and public transport.

Markets

• ¿A cómo está? — How much is it? (market style)
• ¿Me deja probar? — Can I try?
• ¿Me lo deja más barato? — Can you make it cheaper?
• Un kilo de aguacates, por favor.

See Spanish at the market.

Chilango words you'll hear

• ¿Neta? — Really?
• ¡Qué padre! — How cool!
• Ahorita — now / soon / maybe
• Chido — cool
• Güey — dude (between friends)

Mini dialogue at a taquería

• Taquero: ¿Qué le doy, joven?
• You: Cuatro de pastor, por favor. Con todo.
• Taquero: ¿Con piña?
• You: ¡Sí, claro! ¿Y la salsa verde pica mucho?
• Taquero: Poquito.

Neighborhood names to recognize

Centro Histórico, Roma, Condesa, Coyoacán, Polanco, Xochimilco. Practice saying them: taxi drivers will understand you much faster when you pronounce them clearly.

Practice the Mexico City café

Lolo's café situation is set in Mexico City: order a café con leche, pick a pan dulce, ask the price and pay like a local, then get "say it like a native" tips. See travel Spanish phrases and Mexican vs Spain Spanish.

Frequently asked questions

What does "provecho" mean?

"Enjoy your meal". In Mexico people say it even to strangers who are eating.

Is it okay to say "güey" to locals?

Only with friends. Stick to polite forms with strangers.

What does "con todo" mean at a taco stand?

With everything: usually onion and cilantro.