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🗣️ A Mexican language 🧑‍🌾 An Aztec descendant
Nahuatl

Nahuatl

9.9
A person from central Mexico with Aztec ancestors
  • noun
  • /ˈnɑːwɑːtəl/
translation icon : náhuatl
  • The Nahuatl people have a rich cultural heritage.

Examples

  • Some Nahuatl have preserved their traditional customs and language.

  • Many Nahuatl still live in villages throughout central Mexico.

  • A Nahuatl can trace their ancestry to the ancient Aztec civilization.

  • Many Nahuatls still speak their native language today.

  • A Nahuatl can trace their ancestry to the ancient Aztec civilization.

  • Many Nahuatl still live in villages throughout central Mexico.

  • Some Nahuatl have preserved their traditional customs and language.

Synonyms

Native American
vsNahuatl
161 3.4

A person whose family lived in North or South America before Europeans arrived

is narrower, applying mainly to indigenous people of central Mexico
Nahua
vsNahuatl
9.8

A person from a native group in central Mexico who speaks Nahuatl

is broader but emphasizes descent from Aztec ancestors

Compounds

Nahuatl language
9.9

A language spoken by the Nahua people in central Mexico

Surface Forms

Nahuatl singular
Nahuatls plural

Etymology

Nahuatl is also used for the people who speak that language, coming from the same native word nāhuatl meaning 'clear' or 'well-spoken'. That's why a Nahuatl person is someone from that community, many of whom are descended from the Aztecs.