3 syllables: mex, i, can. Stress on mex.
MEK-suh-kuhn
/ˈmɛksəkən/
mexican is pronounced MEK-suh-kuhn (/ˈmɛksəkən/). It has three syllables (mex-i-can), with the stress on "mex". Mexican is an adjective and demonym used to describe something related to Mexico or its people, culture, or language. When referring to people, it functions as a modifier or noun (e.g., Mexican cuisine, a Mexican). The term spans regional identity and can appear in formal and informal contexts. Pronunciation emphasizes two stressed syllables in standard usage, with subtle vowel and consonant distinctions that distinguish it from similar terms in neighboring languages.
Mexican is an adjective and demonym used to describe something related to Mexico or its people, culture, or language. When referring to people, it functions as a modifier or noun (e.g., Mexican cuisine, a Mexican). The term spans regional identity and can appear in formal and informal contexts. Pronunciation emphasizes two stressed syllables in standard usage, with subtle vowel and consonant distinctions that distinguish it from similar terms in neighboring languages.
- Misplacing stress: many say me-ksi-can or mex- i -can; keep primary stress on the first syllable: /ˈmɛk.sɪ.kən/. - Softening the final consonant: avoid turning /kən/ into /kən/ with a heavy vowel; end with a light /ən/ and clear /n/. - Slurring /k/ into /s/: ensure the /k/ is released crisply before the /s/ and the /s/ remains voiceless.
"We sampled authentic Mexican street food in Mexico City."
"The Mexican border city hosts a vibrant festival each spring."
"She collects Mexican craft art and textiles."
Pronounce it as /ˈmɛk.sɪ.kən/ in US/UK/AU English. Primary stress on the first syllable: MEK-sih-kən. Start with the /m/ bilabial, then /ɛ/ as in 'bed', followed by /k/ with a hard release, /s/ as a voiceless fricative, and end with a schwa or near-schwa /ə/ in the final syllable and a light /n/. Keep the second syllable unstressed and fast. You’ll hear a crisp, clear first syllable and a relaxed ending.
Two frequent errors: (1) stressing the second syllable or distributing the stress evenly across all three syllables, which makes it sound like mex-EE-can. (2) mispronouncing the final /ɪ/ or /ə/; many speakers insert a clearer vowel in the last syllable or drop the /k/ too softly. Correction: keep the primary stress on the first syllable /ˈmɛk/ and reduce the final vowel to a relaxed /ə/ or /ən/ with a light /n/; ensure the /k/ is a crisp, aspirated stop before the /s/.
In US/UK/AU, the core /ˈmɛk.sɪ.kən/ pattern holds with subtle vowel shifts. US English tends to more rhotic linking, but 'mexican' remains non-rhotic in many dialects; final /n/ is clear. UK English often features a shorter /ɪ/ and crisper /k/; AU English may show a slightly broader /æ/ in the first vowel in some speakers, but most maintain /ˈmɛk.sɪ.kən/. The main differences are vowel length and quality rather than a change in syllable stress, with all generally keeping the first syllable stressed.
Key challenges: (a) correct early cluster /ˈmɛk/ with a hard /k/ immediately before /s/, which can blur into /t/ or soften. (b) The middle /sɪ/ is often reduced in casual speech, causing misperception of the second syllable. (c) The final /kən/ cluster is quick and can reduce to /kn/ or /kən/; keep a light but audible /n/. Practice maintaining strong initial stress and crisp consonants before the liquid-free final syllable.
A key feature is the sharp onset of the first syllable /ˈmɛk/. Avoid blending the /k/ with the following /s/ to avoid saying /ˈmɛksən/ or /ˈmɛt.sɪ.kən/. Also keep the second syllable short and unstressed; the final syllable should feel lighter than the first. Paying attention to the /k/ release before /s/ helps keep the word clean and unmistakable.
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- US: rhotics optional but keep /r/ absence; emphasize /ˈmɛk/; keep /ɪ/ in the second syllable short; final /ən/ is light. - UK: similar stress, crisper /k/ and shorter /ɪ/; keep /s/ distinct and subtle; non-rhotic tendencies may fade; maintain final /n/ clarity. - AU: often wider vowel qualities; keep /ˈmɛk/; the /ɪ/ may sound closer to /ɪə/ in some speakers; ensure final /ən/ is clean and not reduced too much.
The word Mexican derives from the name of the country Mexico, which itself originates from the Nahuatl term Mexico-Māxitli, commonly rendered as Mexi-cō or Mexihco, referring to the heartland city of the Mexica. The Spanish adaptation “Mexicano”/“Mexicana” emerged during and after the Spanish conquest (16th century) and was later anglicized to Mexican in English usage. The core concept labels people or things connected to Mexico. Early English texts borrowed Mexican to describe products, people, and places associated with Mexico, with the term becoming common in 19th–20th century English to reflect migration, trade, and cultural exchange. Over time, it assumed standard demonym status in global English, with variations in capitalization and usage depending on context. First known uses in English date to the 16th–18th centuries, but widespread modern usage aligns with the modern nation-state and cultural identity. Today, Mexican signals origin, nationality, and cultural attributes and is paired with noun or adjective use across media and discourse.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "mexican" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "mexican"
-an? sounds
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