Unlock the Secret Spanish Words You’ve Been Using Daily Without Noticing!

Spanish and English are like those two friends who just can’t help but borrow each other’s favorite phrases at every chance. From the streets of California to the neon lights of Las Vegas, Spanish words have sneakily become part of our everyday English. But it’s not just about place names—Spanish has sprinkled itself all over the English we speak, sometimes in the quirkiest ways. Ever wondered how words like “macho” or “daiquiri” hopped into English? Well, buckle up, because here are 17 Spanish words that have made themselves right at home in English, each with its own fascinating tale to tell. Ready to sound a bit more worldly at your next dinner party? Let’s dive in! LEARN MORE

Spanish and English are two of the most common languages in the world. Naturally, English and Spanish have fused and blended in certain ways over the years. Many American states and cities, from California to Las Vegas, have Spanish names, but Spanish has found its way into the English language in many other forms, too. Here are 17 Spanish words that have become part of the English language for one reason or another.

Aficionado
Bonanza
Cafeteria
Canyon
Cargo
Condor
Coyote
Daiquiri
Embargo
Macho
Mesa
Mosquito
Nada
Patio
Salsa
Silo
Vigilante

Aficionado

Aficionado came to English in the 1800s. The word is the past participle of the Spanish verb aficionar, which means “to inspire affection.” In its English context, aficionado became a noun that means “a person who likes, knows about, and appreciates a usually fervently pursued interest or activity,” per Merriam-Webster.

Bonanza

The word bonanza generally refers to a sudden increase in wealth or fortune, though it can also refer to an extremely large party or event, or a situation where something desirable exists in large quantities. This word comes from an identical Spanish term that actually means “calm sea” or “prosperity.”

Cafeteria

This word became a part of English in the 1830s and generally describes a restaurant, lunchroom, or dining hall where people pick up their own food from counters. It comes from the Spanish cafetería, a Latin American term that means “coffeehouse.”

Canyon

A canyon is a deep indent in the Earth with steep sides and often, a stream at the bottom. This word comes from the American Spanish word cañón, which has the same meaning.

Cargo

Cargo describes any material being carried by a ship, plane, or other mode of transit. It’s also a common type of pants. The word originated in the 1600s from the Spanish verb cargar, which means “to load.”

Condor

A condor is a type of vulture that is known for its bare head and white neck ruff, among other identifiable characteristics. The name of this bird comes from the Spanish cóndor, a word that in turn comes from the Quechua kuntur.

Coyote

A coyote is a small red-grey mammal that is a close relative of the wolf. This is a Mexican Spanish word that comes from the Nahuatl coyōtl.

Daiquiri

A daiquiri is a type of alcoholic drink that is typically made with simple syrup or sugar, rum, and lime juice. Its name comes from Daiquirí, a village and beach near Santiago de Cuba, a city and port in southeastern Cuba.

Embargo

An embargo describes a “stoppage” or “impediment,” per Merriam-Webster, and is often used to describe some kind of blockage on trade. This is a Spanish word that initially referred to a government order that stopped ships from entering or leaving a port, and it came to English in the early 17th century.

Macho

Macho is a way of describing a type of behavior characterized by machismo, a word that references a kind of exaggerated masculinity. This word comes from a Spanish word that simply means male, and its first use dates to 1949.

Mesa

A mesa is a naturally elevated land mass with a flat top. The English word comes from theidentical Spanish word mesa, which means “table,” and its usage in English dates to the mid-19th century.

Mosquito

The word mosquito refers to those little flying, blood-sucking insects that make so many of us so very itchy. It comes from a Spanish and Portuguese term that refers to the same creature, and that literally translates to “little fly.”

Nada

Nada means “zero” or “nothing.” This word comes from a Spanish word with the same definition, which in turn comes from the Latin nata, a word that means “circumstance” or, more literally, a “thing born.”