yanqui
“yanqui” means “Yankee” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
Yankee
Also: American
📝 In Action
Había muchos yanquis en el hotel.
A2There were many Yankees at the hotel.
Mi primo se casó con una yanqui muy simpática.
B1My cousin married a very nice American girl.
Los yanquis tienen costumbres muy diferentes a las nuestras.
B2Americans have very different customs from ours.
American
Also: Yankee
📝 In Action
Me encanta la comida yanqui.
A2I love American food.
Esa es una película típica yanqui con muchas explosiones.
B1That is a typical American movie with lots of explosions.
No entiendo el humor yanqui.
B2I don't understand American humor.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: yanqui
Question 1 of 3
How do you say 'The American woman' using 'yanqui'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Borrowed from the English word 'Yankee'. The English term likely came from the Dutch name 'Janke' (Little Jan), used by Dutch settlers to mock English settlers in New England.
First recorded: 19th century
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'yanqui' an insult?
It can be, but it isn't always. It depends heavily on the speaker's intent and the country. In many places, it's just a casual way to say 'American'.
Does it refer to people from the Northern US specifically?
In English, 'Yankee' often refers to Northerners, but in Spanish, 'yanqui' refers to anyone from the United States regardless of which state they are from.
Why don't Spanish speakers just say 'americano'?
Because 'América' is the name of the whole continent (from Canada to Argentina) in Spanish culture. Using 'americano' for just one country can feel confusing or even exclusionary to some people.