Lazarillo de Tormes
Foreign Native shares a practical suggestion for readers of literature wishing to avoid having their literary choices blindsided by a disparaging comment
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Latest Articles
A Lesson in Object Pronouns
Some complications arise with object pronouns in Spanish when you're dealing with third persons singular and plural
The Parallel Between British English and Spanish Spanish
A certain parallel could be drawn between British and American English, and the Spanish spoken in Spain and that of Mexico
Ser y Estar: To Be or To Be, that is the Question
Among the grammatical complications of Spanish are its two verbs that describe how to be. This articles describes the uses of Ser and Estar.
Mexico Newsletter —
August 2025
Peak summer; Updated guidelines for visas; Social etiquette; Home stewardship; Places to live off the beaten path; Summer road trips; and more...
Learn About Social Etiquette & Local Customs in Mexico
Learn how to navigate Mexico's social etiquette, discover local customs and graces, and avoid unnecessary or embarrassing social blunders
Noise Pollution vs Noise as a Status Symbol
Noise pollution in Mexico City continues to carry on — long after city planners took measures to reduce air contamination in the capital
Mexico’s UMA and Residency Qualification Criteria 2025
UMA is replacing Mexico's 'minimum wage' as a basis for official calculations. This article describes how it affects applications for legal residency.
Comprehension: ¿Me Entiendes, o Me Explico?
A brief summary of two phrases in Spanish that, on the surface, intend to verify understanding but may come across as fake humility
Torn Money: The Banknote Versus the Joker
In Mexico, merchants of all kinds tend to reject damaged banknotes, but you can exchange damaged notes at a bank if you have at least half of the note intact
Exchange Rates and Capital Gains on Your Mexican Home
A hidden cost of selling your Mexican home might lay in the 'exchange rate effect'—although worthwhile tax allowances are available to residents
The Gender Problem in Spanish Language Grammar
In Spanish, feminine words end in an 'a' and masculine words in an 'o', and so do corresponding adjectives—but there are a number of exceptions
