Language is tradition, uses and customs that cannot disappear with time and immigration. In every corner of the world, no matter what language is spoken, users imprint a particular seal that distinguishes them and strengthens their identity.
The following words can be observed in the south of Mexico, in the region known as the Central Valleys of the State of Oaxaca.
Because of the vast use of these words, we have decided to name them "palabras oaxaqueñas," or Oaxacan Words.
9 Real-Life Examples of Oaxacan Words
Atosigar (Verb):
In Spanish also means importunar, presionar.
In English: to pester, to hassle (informal), to harass, to pressure (US), To pressurize (British).
Example:
Juan es un hombre que me atosiga todo el tiempo.
Ese hombre habla demasiado, siempre me atosiga.
Amuinar (Verbo):
In Spanish also means: Enojar, incomodar, hacer que otro que se moleste, producir desazón. Derivado del sustantivo la muina, el enojo, la cólera.
In English means To anger, to make uncomfortable, to cause another to be annoyed, to produce discomfort. Derived from the noun la muina, anger, anger.
Example:
Mi papá siempre se amuina cuando hay mucho tráfico.
Encontre a mi ex-novio con su mejor amiga, y me amuinó la tarde.
Aposcahuar:
In Spanish means: Cubrir de moho, enmohecerse, oxidarse, olerse a húmedad
In English means: smell wet, moisty, moisty smell.
Example:
Dejé la ropa en la lavadora por tres días y ya se aposcahuó.
La toalla huele a aposcahuada.
Chapulín:
In Spanish: (sustantivo masculino) Saltamontes.
In English: Grasssupper.
Example:
En Oaxaca nos gusta comer chapulines.
Chinguiña:
In Spanish also known as Lagaña, legaña.
In English, known as "eye booger."
Examples:
Anoche no dormí bien y ahora me arden los ojos y tengo chinguiñas.
Limpiate las chinguiñas, parece que no te bañaste.
Marchante / marchanta: (sustantivo): A person who buys in the same place or store by habit; likewise, a person who regularly sells to the same buyer.
Examples:
Siempre compro chapulines con la misma marchanta.
Mi marchanta siempre me da buen precio.
Muchito / muchita: In other Spanish speaking places, muchito can be used as the diminutive of mucho, but in Oaxaca has a different used, is the dimimunitive of muchachito o muchachita, so a niño o a niña.
Examples:
Después de mi boda, mi esposa y yo pensamos tener dos hijos, un muchito y una muchita.
¿Y este muchito? Es el hijo de mi hermana.
Tlayuda vs Tlayudo
Tlayuda:
It is a handmade corn tortilla, approximately 30 centimeters in diameter, with a brittle and firm consistency. The tlayuda is a dish of the food of Oaxaca.
Tlayudo or correoso:
A person who, in work, sports, chores, etc., has great physical endurance.
Examples:
Ahora que vengas a Oaxaca, vamos por unas tlayudas.
Mi primo, esta yendo al gimnasio y esta se esta poniendo tlayudo.