What does indio mean?

Question

10 points for first correct answer

Answer 1

Some pretty accurate answers here. I'd just like to add, that the Indian that you all refer to as Indio ...doesn't usually speak Spanish as a first language but rather a dialect more like the ancient languages of the Mayan (or Aztec) Ciche (pron:key sha; long a sound.) not sure of the sp? is one of los Indio's native tongues and it sounds like they are clicking their tongues when they speak it. Very interesting sound. It sounds almost primordial to my ear. Spanish is frequently their second tongue and is used when they go into the market to buy and sell as the language of trade or the merchants' language.
Another term more appropriate for the Indians I mention above is to refer to them in Spanish as Los Naturales ...the natural ones!

Answer 2

"Indio" comes from a latin word ("indigo") that means blue. It was applied first to the ocean of the South East Asia basin, and by extension to the sub-continent of India.
When Columbus came to the Americas, as he was actually going to China, he thought that he had stumbled upon some Indian jurisdiction. Hence, native Americans are called "indios."
"Indio" is then Spanish for "indian," but Spanish speakers use it mostly to refer to the aboriginal nations of the Americas. Spanish speakers make, then, a mistake when they try to tell "indios' (Americans) from 'Indians" (a person from India) and call the latter 'Hinuds" which actually referes to a religion. Not all Indians are Hindus, but there's no way to speak a native Spanish speaker out of that

Answer 3

Yep indian. Mexican guys often call the more native looking guys that. "Hey Indio, Como estas?"

Answer 4

It's spanish for "indian"

I actually had like 3 indian guys in my spanish class... they called themselves "los tres indios".

Answer 5

someone from india,
but since Columbus thought he was getting to India, instead of America, all indigenous people of the american continent are called indios, in spanish

Answer 6

Indian.....Thats a statement mexican's call each other with affection, sortof like when blacks calling each other ******'s?

I have been called 'india' many times, affectionately of course!

Answer 7

Indian. Isn't this a language question?

Answer 8

Yep, it means indian.

Answer 9

it means indian.