“Madre” (mother) is a minefield. Its meaning flips completely with the phrase around it.

The 10 most-used swear words in Mexico, ranked from nuclear to Grandma-safe. Tap “Hear it” to hear each one, or tap a red bar to reveal a word.

1. 1
   chinga tu madre CHEEN-gah too MAH-drehF*** your mother.
   Nuclear ▶ Hear it
2. 2
   verga VEHR-gahDick. Also “great” or “terrible.”
   Very rude ▶ Hear it
3. 3
   pendejo pen-DEH-hoIdiot (literally a pubic hair).
   Rude ▶ Hear it
4. 4
   cabrón kah-BRONBastard, or “dude.” Literally a billy goat.
   Rude ▶ Hear it
5. 5
   culero koo-LEH-roAsshole, jerk.
   Rude ▶ Hear it
7. 6
   me vale madre meh VAH-leh MAH-drehI don’t give a damn.
   Rude ▶ Hear it
8. 7
   pinche PEEN-chehDamn, freaking. “Pinche tráfico.”
   Mild ▶ Hear it
9. 8
   no mames no MAH-messNo way! (literally “don’t suck”)
   Mild ▶ Hear it
10. 9
    mamón mah-MONArrogant show-off.
    Mild ▶ Hear it
11. 10
    güey WAYDude. Said every five seconds.
    Grandma-safe ▶ Hear it