Lesson 9: Words from Spanish

Southwest & Spanish Heritage Words

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barrio
BAH-ree-oh
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A neighborhood in a US city where many Spanish-speaking people live.
"We visited a bakery in the barrio to buy fresh pan dulce."
Word Origin Just means "neighborhood" in Spanish!
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burro
BURR-oh
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A donkey, especially a small one used as a pack animal.
"The burro carried supplies up the mountain trail."
Fun Fact "Burrito" means "little donkey" – food wrapped like a pack!
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guerrilla
guh-RIL-uh
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A member of a small, unofficial army that uses surprise tactics (hiding, sneaking).
"Guerrilla tactics rely on knowing the land better than the enemy."
Word Origin Means "little war" (Guerra = War)
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lariat
LAIR-ee-ut
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A lasso; a long rope with a loop used to catch horses or cattle.
"The cowboy swung his lariat to catch the calf."
Word Origin From Spanish la reata (the rope)
mesa
MAY-suh
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A flat-topped hill with steep sides.
"The mesa looked like a giant table standing in the desert."
Visual Trick Mesa is the Spanish word for Table!
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mustang
MUS-tang
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A wild horse of the American plains.
"A herd of mustangs ran freely across the valley."
Word Origin From mesteño, meaning "stray" or "ownerless"
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siesta
see-ES-tuh
tap for a nap
An afternoon nap or rest, usually during the hottest part of the day.
"After lunch, the whole town grew quiet for siesta."
Did you know? Comes from the Latin for "sixth hour" (noon)
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stampede
stam-PEED
tap to startle!
A sudden rush of frightened animals (or people).
"A loud thunderclap caused a stampede of cattle."
Word Origin From estampida (pounding/crash)