indios
/EEN-dee-ohs/
indigenous peoples
Depicting the native inhabitants of the Americas.
indios(noun)
indigenous peoples
?Native inhabitants of the Americas
,Native Americans
?Context specific to the US/Canada
Indians
?Historical or geographical context, often referring to people from India (Asia), though 'hindúes' is preferred.
📝 In Action
Los indios de la región andina tienen una rica cultura milenaria.
B1The indigenous peoples of the Andean region have a rich, ancient culture.
Cristóbal Colón creyó haber llegado a las Indias, por eso llamó 'indios' a los habitantes.
B2Christopher Columbus believed he had reached the Indies, which is why he called the inhabitants 'indios'.
💡 Grammar Points
Plural Noun Rule
This word is the masculine plural form. To talk about women, you would use 'indias'. To talk about a mixed group or the group in general, use 'indios'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Asia and America
Mistake: "Using 'indios' to refer to people from India (the country in Asia)."
Correction: While technically correct in some historical contexts, it is clearer to use 'hindúes' or 'personas de la India' to avoid confusion with the indigenous peoples of the Americas.
⭐ Usage Tips
Sensitivity Warning
In many modern contexts, it is preferred to use more specific and respectful terms like 'pueblos originarios' (original peoples) or the specific name of the group (e.g., 'los mayas').
Illustrating something relating to native cultures and traditions.
indios(adjective)
indigenous
?Relating to native cultures/traditions
,Indian
?Relating to India (Asia) or indigenous groups
native
?Original or local
📝 In Action
Los textiles indios son famosos por sus colores brillantes.
B2Indigenous textiles are famous for their bright colors.
Estudiamos varios dialectos indios que están en peligro de extinción.
C1We are studying several native dialects that are in danger of extinction.
💡 Grammar Points
Agreement Rule
As an adjective, 'indios' must match the noun it describes in number (plural) and gender (masculine). For feminine plural nouns, use 'indias'.
Visualizing the offensive slang meaning of unsophisticated or uncultured people.
indios(noun)
ignorant people
?Offensive slang meaning unsophisticated or uncultured people
,uncultured persons
?Highly offensive usage
📝 In Action
¡Cuidado con el uso de esta palabra! En muchos lugares, se usa como un insulto muy ofensivo.
C1Be careful using this word! In many places, it is used as a very offensive insult.
⭐ Usage Tips
ABSOLUTELY AVOID THIS USE
In many parts of Latin America, using 'indio' or 'indios' outside of academic or historical contexts is considered a severe, racist slur and should never be used in conversation.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: indios
Question 1 of 2
Which term is generally preferred today to refer respectfully to the original inhabitants of the continent?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'indios' offensive?
While the word is used neutrally in historical documents and some official contexts to mean 'indigenous peoples,' it has a long history of being used as a severe, racist insult in many Spanish-speaking countries. It is strongly recommended that learners avoid using this term, favoring 'indígenas' or 'pueblos originarios' instead.
How do I refer to people from the country of India (in Asia)?
The clearest way is to say 'personas de la India' (people from India) or use the noun 'hindúes' (Hindus/people of India).