Here’s a list of English words that have been derived from Spanish, covering various categories:
Geography and Place Names
- Canyon (from cañón)
- Sierra (from sierra, meaning "mountain range")
- Plaza (from plaza)
- Savanna (from sabana)
- Mesa (from mesa, meaning "table" or "tabletop plateau")
- Adobe (from adobe)
- Patio (from patio)
- Lago (from lago, meaning "lake")
- Rio (from río, meaning "river")
- Pampa (from pampa)
Animals and Plants
- Alligator (from el lagarto, meaning "the lizard")
- Coyote (from coyote)
- Armadillo (from armadillo, meaning "little armored one")
- Mustang (from mesteño, meaning "wild or stray")
- Cockroach (from cucaracha)
- Chinchilla (from chinchilla)
- Banana (via Spanish from a West African word)
- Tomato (from tomate, originally from Nahuatl tomatl)
- Chocolate (from chocolate, originally from Nahuatl xocolatl)
- Tobacco (from tabaco)
Food and Drink
- Taco (from taco)
- Burrito (from burrito, meaning "little donkey")
- Salsa (from salsa, meaning "sauce")
- Paella (from paella)
- Chili (from chile, originally from Nahuatl chīlli)
- Tortilla (from tortilla, meaning "small cake")
- Margarita (from margarita, meaning "daisy")
- Nacho (from nacho)
- Barbecue (from barbacoa, originally from Taíno)
- Cafeteria (from cafetería)
Cultural Concepts and Social Terms
- Fiesta (from fiesta, meaning "party" or "festival")
- Siesta (from siesta, meaning "nap")
- Rodeo (from rodeo, meaning "roundup")
- Macho (from macho, meaning "male")
- Guerilla (from guerilla, meaning "little war")
- Hacienda (from hacienda, meaning "estate" or "plantation")
- Matador (from matador, meaning "killer")
- Conquistador (from conquistador, meaning "conqueror")
- Peon (from peón, meaning "laborer")
- Vigilante (from vigilante, meaning "watchman" or "guard")
Everyday Vocabulary
- Cargo (from cargo, meaning "load" or "freight")
- Embargo (from embargo, meaning "seizure" or "blockade")
- Cigar (from cigarro)
- Lasso (from lazo, meaning "tie" or "noose")
- Mosquito (from mosquito, meaning "little fly")
- Platinum (from platino, meaning "little silver")
- Savvy (from sabio, meaning "wise" or "knowledgeable")
- Ranch (from rancho)
- Stampede (from estampida)
- Poncho (from poncho)
Expressions and Phrases
- Manana (from mañana, meaning "tomorrow" or "morning")
- No problema (from no problema, meaning "no problem")
- Hasta la vista (meaning "see you later")
- Viva (meaning "long live")
- Adios (from adiós, meaning "goodbye")
- Ole (from olé, an expression of approval or encouragement)
- Caramba (an exclamation of surprise or frustration)
- Quixotic (derived from the character Don Quixote, meaning "idealistic but impractical")
- El Nino (from El Niño, meaning "The Child," referring to a weather phenomenon)
- Coup d'etat (from golpe de estado, meaning "blow of state," though commonly used in English via French)
These words reflect the deep cultural and linguistic exchanges between Spanish-speaking and English-speaking communities throughout history. The influence is particularly strong in the Americas, where Spanish and English have coexisted for centuries.