List of Spanish words of Nahuatl origin


Documented Nahuatl words in the Spanish language, also called Nahuatlismos include an extensive list of words that represent animals, plants, fruit and vegetables, foods and beverages, and domestic appliances.
Many of these words end with the absolutive suffix "-tl" in Nahuatl. This word ending—thought to be difficult for Spanish speakers to pronounce at the time—evolved in Spanish into a "-te" ending. As a rule of thumb, a Spanish word for an animal, plant, food or home appliance widely used in Mexico and ending in "-te" is highly likely to have a Nahuatl origin.

Animals

  1. Acocil
  2. Ajolote
  3. Cacomixtle
  4. Chapulín
  5. Cenzontle
  6. Coyote
  7. Escamoles
  8. Guachinango
  9. Guajolote
  10. Ocelote
  11. Mapache
  12. Mayate
  13. Moyote
  14. Pinacate
  15. Pizote
  16. Quetzal
  17. Tecolote
  18. Tepezcuintle
  19. Techalote
  20. Tlacuache
  21. Xoloitzcuintli
  22. Zanate
  23. Zopilote

Plants, fruits and vegetables

Foods and drinks

Names of places

Countries
  • Cuauhtemallan
  • Mehxico
  • Nicanahuac
  • Cozcatlan
States/Provinces/Departments
Cities
Geographical elements

Other terms, includes home appliances