1. The Aztecs were the most powerful tribe of native people living in Mexico before the Spanish arrived. The Aztec Language is called Nahuatl.
Many words in Spanish and in English actually come from Nahuatl words. This is a good example of how the Aztecs have affected our lives today.

2. Algunas palabras Aztecas

3. For example, the Aztecs ate yummy xocolatl.
There are some food words in Spanish and English that come from the Aztec Language.
For example, the Aztecs ate yummy
xocolatl.

4. That’s the origin of the Spanish word for
chocolate

5. And of the English word for
chocolate

6. el chocolate…
chocolate.

7. Los Aztecas also grew ahuactl and made ahuaca-molli from them.

8. It’s the origin of the Spanish word for
aguacate
It’s the origin of the Spanish word for

9. …and of the English word for
avocado

10. If it is a salsa (sauce) or a dip made from avocado, can you guess what ahuaca-molli is?
Hint: You might scoop some up with a tortilla chip at a Mexican restaurant.
This is not the zemi huracan. I haven’t yet found a good illustration of him.

11. Did you guess that it is…..
Guacamole?

12. Los aztecas also ate another vegetable called a chilli

13. That’s the origin of the Spanish word chile and the English word, chili (pepper).

14. There is yet another verdura (vegetable) word that comes the Aztec language… tomatl. I bet you can guess what this word means!

15. It’s the origin of the Spanish word
tomate

16. And of the English word
tomato

17. There are also some animal words that come from Nahuatl
There are also some animal words that come from Nahuatl. Los aztecas knew the howl of the coyotl.

18. That’s the origin of the Spanish word coyote…
And
the English
word for
coyote

19. Another animal you may or may not know is a type of spotted cat
Another animal you may or may not know is a type of spotted cat. Los Aztecas called it
ocelotl

20. That’s the origin of the Spanish word for
ocelote

21. And of the English word for
ocelot

22. The names of 2 países (countries) come from azteca words
The names of 2 países (countries) come from azteca words. Can you guess what they are?
Hint: One is in América del Norte but it is not the US and not Canada. The other is a country in América Central that borders Belice, Honduras and El Salvador.

23. The first one is
México

24. and the second one is
Guatemala

25. Preguntas de discusión
Can you remember some of the nahuatl (Aztec language) words that became Spanish words and then English words?
Why do you think these nahuatl words survived and others did not?
Use pictures or other cues

26. Developed with support from the Coca-Cola Foundation and an anonymous foundation.
Melissa Eve Warhaftig
Ángel Lozada
King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center
New York University
2002