If you’re studying Spanish with us here in Cuernavaca, Morelos, chances are you won’t spend all your time in the classroom—and that’s exactly how it should be. Spanish comes alive in the streets, the markets, and the everyday interactions with locals. One word our students come to quickly learn is regatear.

So, what does regatear mean, and why is it so useful during your stay in Mexico?

It means to haggle or to bargain, especially when talking about prices. It’s the friendly back-and-forth negotiation that happens when a buyer and seller discuss how much something should cost (but beware, this isn´t always the best idea).

In English, you might say: “What’s your best offer?” or “Can you lower the price?”

Here in Cuernavaca, you’ll hear regatear most often in places like:

• Local markets (mercados)
• Artisan stalls
• Street vendors
• Flea markets (tianguis)

For example:

¿Me lo puede dejar más barato?
¿Y si llevo dos?

All of these are classic regateo strategies—and yes, being a Spanish student sometimes helps 😉

Is Regatear Rude?

In many parts of Mexico, regatear is normal and expected in informal settings. It’s not about being aggressive; it’s about conversation, respect, and even humor. A smile goes a long way. You won´t be able to bargain in restaurants and fixed-price stores.

Then why is it allowed in some places?

Regatear is a cultural thing. Once you´re here, you realize where you can and can´t do it. But this raises a bigger question:

is it “ethically” good?

INEGI (Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía) (Mexico’s official government statistics agency, similar to the U.S. Census Bureau, but with a broader role), said that last year informal jobs grew in number for mexicans, making up to 55% of all jobs. Now, these type of jobs aren´t taken as serious as the other kind, where you gain a salary and have legal benefits attached to them. If every year more and more people have to go out in the streets and sell various items to make a life for themselves, maybe they´ll accept the regateo play. However, in the end, it is in the buyer´s hands to go with it or not.

At IDEAL, we want our students to understand the full picture, so come and live it for yourself! You´re always welcome at IDEAL Spanish School!