It’s a well known fact that languages are always evolving, whether it’s new words being added to the dictionary or being borrowed from other languages. While English has both Latin, Greek and Germanic origins it has also borrowed a few words directly from its neighbours. Here are fifteen words English has taken from Spanish.
Chilli
Written in Spanish as chili
Armadillo
Written in Spanish as armadillo
Macho
Written in Spanish as macho
Ranch
Written in Spanish as rancho
Mustang
Written in Spanish mesteño
Tornado
Written in Spanish tronada
Alligator
Written in Spanish el lagarto
Avocado
Written in Spanish aguacate
Stampede
Written in Spanish estampida
Lasso
Written in Spanish lazo
Breeze
Written in Spanish brisa
Cockroach
Written in Spanish cucaracha
Anchovy
Written in Spanish anchoa
Mosquito
Written in Spanish mosca or mosquito (little fly)
Savvy
Written in Spanish saber
About the author
Tara is a travel writer and editor who lived in Barcelona for 5 years writing exclusively for Culture Trip. She has a passion for sharing experiences around food and wine.
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