Nahuatl facts for kids
The Nahuatl language is spoken by about 1.5 million people in Mexico. It is an important language with a long history. An older form of Nahuatl was spoken by ancient civilizations like the Aztecs, the Toltecs, and possibly the people of Teotihuacan.
After the Aztec empire ended, many different forms of Nahuatl developed. These are called dialects. Today, people who speak different Nahuatl dialects might not always understand each other.
How Nahuatl Influenced English
You might be surprised to learn that many English words come from Nahuatl! This shows how important the language was. Here are some examples:
Nahuatl in Spanish and Place Names
Nahuatl also influenced Spanish, especially in Mexico. Many common phrases used in Mexican Spanish come from Nahuatl. For example, the word ándale (meaning "let's go") and the way some people say Bueno? when answering the telephone have Nahuatl roots.
Even the names of some countries come from Nahuatl words! The names "Mexico," "Guatemala," and "Nicaragua" all have their origins in this ancient language.
Images for kids
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The place names Mapachtepec ('Raccoon Hill'), Mazatlan ('Deer Place') and Huitztlan ('Thorn Place') written in the Aztec writing system, from the Codex Mendoza
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Illustrated alphabet of the Nahuatl, Aztec or Mexicano language.
See also
In Spanish: Náhuatl para niños
