Mexican Spanish is richly influenced by the country’s indigenous languages, resulting in the frequent use of the letter “X” in many words. This unique characteristic primarily stems from the Nahuatl language, the tongue of the Aztecs, which had a significant impact on the Spanish spoken in Mexico. When Spanish colonizers arrived in Mexico, they adopted many Nahuatl words into their vocabulary, often preserving the original sounds and spellings. The letter “X” in Nahuatl often represents the “sh” sound, which was transcribed into Spanish orthography. Over time, these words became integral to Mexican Spanish, enriching it with a distinct phonetic and cultural flavor.

Several examples illustrate this influence. The word “México” itself is derived from the Nahuatl word “Mēxihco,” referring to the heartland of the Aztec Empire. Another example is “xoloitzcuintli,” the name of a native Mexican dog breed, which retains its Nahuatl spelling and pronunciation. The term “axolotl,” a type of salamander unique to Mexico, also comes from Nahuatl, combining “atl” (water) and “xolotl” (monster). Even everyday words like “chocolate” and “tomato” have Nahuatl origins, originally “xocolatl” and “tomatl,” respectively. These words and many others highlight the deep-rooted integration of indigenous languages into Mexican Spanish, reflecting the country’s rich cultural and linguistic heritage.