Do different Spanish speaking countries understand each other's special words (read for details)?

Question

For example, in Mexico, juice is "jugo" and in Spain, it's "zumo". If I were in mexico, would the average mexican understand if I asked for a "zumo" in a restaurant?

Answer 1

The basic Spanish language is the same -so someone from Peru or Spain would understand each other. There are idiomatic differences between countries, as your example points out. There are also idiomatic differences within regions of the same country. English speaking countries have the same types of differences. For examples an umbrella in Australia is called an "umbididie" (spelling?) but the word umbrella is the proper term....A "lift" is an elevator in England. In the US we have our own differences - a soda to most is call "pop" in the Chicago area. The US is full of regional differences...north to south, north east to south west...but we basically understand each other....of course accent and intonation is a whole other story! Hope this helps.

Answer 2

I live in Mexico and i never heard that someone call Zumo to a Juice. So, as you can see, i didn't know that at all. Even if you are in Mexico there are different ways to name something (objects, food, expressions, etc). Now, just compare it to another Spanish speaking countries!. You can understand the "grammar" but maybe not those "local" phrases. It happens in all countries.

Answer 3

I think in principle they will. Maybe they will stare at you for a while but if you say a

zumo de manzana = apple juice

they would finally understand and say: ahhh un jugo de manzana

the same happens the other way around here in Spain.

At the end of the road we will always understand each other, as long as we all speak Spanish, from one place or the other.

Answer 4

Yes. I'm from Argentina and I understand Mexico and Spain special words, I learned them on TV, on the Internet or reading books.
The same happens with English in the UK, the USA and Australia...

Answer 5

Usually they will understand if you ask for zumo; I did when I went to Mexico and I was fine.
There are certain words though, for example "concha" that means seashell in Spain, but means vagina in Ecuador...Those are the words you have to watch out for. : )

Answer 6

Yeah there's a way to figure out what are others talking about. and if you can't understand you just have to ask lol, at the end it's still spanish.

Answer 7

Watching tv is easier but I love reading literature more

Answer 8

while reading a written e book, you're stimulating the human brain. You transform your literacy and reading skills therefore you along the way, become more literate. Despite having today's modern technology, you need to be in a position to read still.
While you're watching t.v. can be good fun, it isn't doing anything to your brain.

Answer 9

It is the same thing that happens when you use american words in England or vice-versa. Sometimes people will understand sometimes they will not...
lorry, loo, curb, caravan, petrol, quid, zebra, tube...