beaner
a highly derogatory and offensive term for a person of Mexican descent
bracero
the Spanish term for a farmhand
bruja
the Spanish word for witch - it has very negative connotations
centavo
a unit of currency in many Latin American countries that has a very low exchange rate compared to the dollar
cocido
the Spanish term for cooked food
compadres
Spanish for "friends"
coyote
This word has several meanings throughout the story. In most cases, it refers to the animal, but it is also used to refer to those people who are paid by Mexicans in return for help illegally cross the border. These people, as Cándido and América experienced first hand, can be extremely untrustworthy. The final usage of the term is as a reference to the Mexican immigrants themselves.
democratic
This term, along with liberal, is often used to describe the values of the white people in the novel. It means unprejudiced, unbigoted, and forward-looking
gabacho
the Spanish word used to describe foreigners
gringo (or gringa)
the term Spanish speakers use to refer to white people
guatón
an extremely overweight person
huaraches
sandals
La Migra
the Spanish name for U.S. Immigration officials and the worst nightmares of illegal immigrants like Cándido
ladrón
the Spanish term for a thief
liberal
This term, along with democratic, is often used to describe the values of the white people in the novel. It means unprejudiced, unbigoted, and forward-looking
mendigo
another Spanish word for a homeless person
paisano
the Spanish term for a countryman or a compatriot
pandillero
the Spanish term for a thief
patrón
the Spanish term for a boss or an employer
pinche vida
this phrase involves profanity and is Cándido's way of referring to his cursed life
spic
a highly derogatory and offensive term for a person of Mexican descent
taquería
a taco shop or, on a larger scale, a restaurant
vago
the Spanish term with a heavy negative connotation for a homeless person
wetback
a highly derogatory and offensive term for a person of Mexican descent
