Special Report

30 Common English Words You Didn’t Know Were Really Spanish

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America’s love of Mexican food has implanted plenty of Spanish words into our everyday lexicon. But when not ordering a quesadilla or tamale at the local taquería, we may still be using Spanish words without even knowing it. (Spanish isn’t the only language that has influenced English. Here are 30 English words you didn’t know came from Arabic.)

The Spanish origins of many words commonly used in the United States can be traced to the 16th century, when Spanish influence in the Americas began. Spanish has actually been spoken in North America for longer than English has. In the centuries following the initial Spanish arrival, many areas in what is now the U.S., including Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama were colonized by Spain. 

In addition, several states from California to Oklahoma were part of Mexico until the Mexican-American War. This gave the Spanish language countless opportunities to rub off on American English. Even the names of some of these states – like Colorado (meaning “red-colored”) and Nevada (meaning “snowfall”) – are Spanish. 

To compile a list of some common English words that are really Spanish – either spelled exactly the same way, usually with the same meaning, or drawn from a similarly spelled Spanish term – 24/7 Tempo consulted the Oxford English Dictionary and language sites including Babbel, ThoughtCo., and Busuu. We have omitted familiar culinary terms.

Many of these words – including lariat, bronco, and ranch – are derived from the Spanish equestrian tradition that would become U.S. cowboy culture. Others are the names of plants and animals that are common south of our border. (Many Spanish words are based on Latin, the language that Spanish descended from. Here are 30 Latin phrases that everyone should know.)

Click here to see 30 common English words you didn’t know were really Spanish

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Alligator
> Spanish origin: El lagarto
> Meaning in Spanish: The lizard

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travenian / Getty Images

Banana
> Spanish origin: Banana
> Meaning in Spanish: Banana

Kena Betancur/Getty Images

Bonanza
> Spanish origin: Bonanza
> Meaning in Spanish: Prosperity, bonanza

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

Breeze
> Spanish origin: Brisa
> Meaning in Spanish: Breeze, air

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Natalie Behring / Getty Images

Bronco
> Spanish origin: Bronco
> Meaning in Spanish: Rough

quavondo / Getty Images

Cabana
> Spanish origin: Cabaña
> Meaning in Spanish: Cabin

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SDI Productions / Getty Images

Cafeteria
> Spanish origin: Cafetería
> Meaning in Spanish: Café, coffee shop

photohomepage / iStock

Cannibal
> Spanish origin: Caníbal
> Meaning in Spanish: Cannibal

Canyon
> Spanish origin: Cañón
> Meaning in Spanish: Gorge, tube

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Chalabala / iStock via Getty Images

Cargo
> Spanish origin: Cagar
> Meaning in Spanish: To load

Cockroach
> Spanish origin: Cucaracha
> Meaning in Spanish: Cockroach

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ChuckSchugPhotography / Getty Images

Corral
> Spanish origin: Corral
> Meaning in Spanish: Corral, pen, barnyard

Joe Raedle / Getty Images

Embargo
> Spanish origin: Embargar
> Meaning in Spanish: To seize

Guerrilla
> Spanish origin: Guerrilla
> Meaning in Spanish: Guerrilla, warfare

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berkay / Getty Images

Jade
> Spanish origin: Piedra de ijada
> Meaning in Spanish: Stone of the flank (jade was thought to cure pains in the side)

stevecoleimages / Getty Images

Lariat
> Spanish origin: La reata
> Meaning in Spanish: The lariat or rope

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Kimberly Delaney / iStock via Getty Images

Marijuana
> Spanish origin: Marihuana (Mexican Spanish)
> Meaning in Spanish: Marijuana, cannabis

nechaev-kon / iStock via Getty Images

Mosquito
> Spanish origin: Mosquito
> Meaning in Spanish: Little fly or gnat

sbonk / iStock via Getty Images

Mustang
> Spanish origin: Mestengo (archaic Mexican Spanish)
> Meaning in Spanish: Stray, wild

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benedek / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

Patio
> Spanish origin: Patio
> Meaning in Spanish: Patio, courtyard

Oat_Phawat / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Platinum
> Spanish origin: Platino
> Meaning in Spanish: Little silver

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jewhyte / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Plaza
> Spanish origin: Plaza
> Meaning in Spanish: Square, plaza

Evgeny_D / iStock via Getty Images

Ranch
> Spanish origin: Rancho
> Meaning in Spanish: Ranch

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

Renegade
> Spanish origin: Renegado
> Meaning in Spanish: Turncoat, heretic

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monkeybusinessimages / Getty Images

Savvy
> Spanish origin: Sabe
> Meaning in Spanish: Knows

LifeJourneys / E+ via Getty Images

Stampede
> Spanish origin: Estampida
> Meaning in Spanish: Stampede

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undefined undefined / iStock via Getty Images

Suave
> Spanish origin: Suave
> Meaning in Spanish: Smooth

Tornado
> Spanish origin: Tornado
> Meaning in Spanish: Tornado, twister

artisteer / Getty Images

Vanilla
> Spanish origin: Vainilla
> Meaning in Spanish: Little pod

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Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

Vigilante
> Spanish origin: Vigilante
> Meaning in Spanish: Watchman

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