Spanish word

mestizaje

Pronunciation

IPA/mestiˈθaxe/

Meaning

  • masculine nounethnic mixing

Example

En mi familia, el mestizaje es algo que celebramos.

In my family, ethnic mixing is something we celebrate.

Illustration for mestizaje (ethnic mixing)

More examples

¿Cómo influye el mestizaje étnico en nuestra identidad?

How does ethnic mixing influence our identity?

Core concept

Mixing of ancestral ethnic lines.

Common phrases

  • mestizaje étnico

    ethnic mixing

  • mestizaje de culturas

    cultural mixing

Similar words

mezcla: Mixing of different elements, substances, or origins into a single combined whole.
mestizo: Person with mixed ethnic or racial ancestry.

Definition in Spanish

Estado o proceso por el cual descendientes presentan herencia de dos o más grupos étnicos o raciales.

Word origin

From Spanish mestizo 'mixed' plus the suffix -aje, forming a noun that denotes the state or process of being ethnically mixed.

Usage tips

  • Often used in academic or historical contexts, so in casual conversation speakers often prefer phrases like mezcla de orígenes or mezcla étnica instead.

Other meanings

  • racial mixingnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • mestizomixed-race personnoun
  • mestizaciónmiscegenationnoun
  • mestizarmiscegenateverb

Word lists with this word