1. Originally used in Spanish to refer very specifically to a person of 50% European and 50% Amerindian descent.
2. Nowadays used to refer to any Hispanic person of mixed Amerindian and European descent, regardless of proportions. Sometimes even used as a general term for any Hispanic person of mixed racial origins.
3. Sometimes used to refer to the Hispanic culture of the Americas (as it is a mix of different indigenous, European and African cultures).
The cognate word in Portuguese is mestiço, while in French it is métis.
2. Nowadays used to refer to any Hispanic person of mixed Amerindian and European descent, regardless of proportions. Sometimes even used as a general term for any Hispanic person of mixed racial origins.
3. Sometimes used to refer to the Hispanic culture of the Americas (as it is a mix of different indigenous, European and African cultures).
The cognate word in Portuguese is mestiço, while in French it is métis.
1. "Mestizo" was just one category in the very complex system of racial categorization used by the Spanish Empire.
2. Most people in Mexico, Central America, Ecuador, Colombia and Paraguay are mestizo, while in Chile, Argentina and Uruguay most people are just of European descent, and in Peru and Bolivia most people are Amerindians.
3. "We are one single mestizo race from Mexico to the Magellan Straits." - Ernesto "Che" Guevara
2. Most people in Mexico, Central America, Ecuador, Colombia and Paraguay are mestizo, while in Chile, Argentina and Uruguay most people are just of European descent, and in Peru and Bolivia most people are Amerindians.
3. "We are one single mestizo race from Mexico to the Magellan Straits." - Ernesto "Che" Guevara
by backpacker_x2 February 1, 2011
A Spanish word literally meaning "mixed" usually refering to someone who is mixed between Spanish and Native American.
by COMMUNIST_USA September 18, 2005
A Spanish term that refers to a racially mixed individual. In Latin america. it means an individual of spanish and amerindian baqround. In the philippines, it refers to individuals of spanish, mexican, portuguese, chinese, american, african, european, and or australian and filpino baqround.
by T. Barboza t. October 21, 2006
by WPWW June 18, 2006
Someone who is usually of the filipino descent and is of lighter skin who is gwapo (aka handsome), like a whiter looking person. A half white and half filipino or spanish would make a mestizo person.
Guy: Do you know Joshua Salinas-Smith?
Girl: YES! He's so gwapo, I heard he is Mestizo, Half filipino and half white.
Guy: I know right. I want to get in his pwet.
Girl: YES! He's so gwapo, I heard he is Mestizo, Half filipino and half white.
Guy: I know right. I want to get in his pwet.
by J$wagger February 26, 2019
A Mexican or Mexican-American with noticeably mixed Indian and Spanish ancestry. They are roughly 50% Indian (aztec, mayan, exct.) and 50% Spanish (either southern or northern Spain). A Mestizo can also have a mix of other European ancestry such as French and sometimes German.
In modern times, a Mestizo's skin color can range from very dark or or light caramel. Many are observed to have black straight hair, and pronounce noses, and often are shorter. Mestizos have almond shaped and black colored eyes. Mestizos make up about 60% of Mexico's population.
Most Mexican-Americans found in the United States fall under this category, thus the term "brown pride" which is used often in west coast cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco.
At times Mestizos can be very light skinned but can have noticeable Indigenous facial features and tan very easily.
In modern times, a Mestizo's skin color can range from very dark or or light caramel. Many are observed to have black straight hair, and pronounce noses, and often are shorter. Mestizos have almond shaped and black colored eyes. Mestizos make up about 60% of Mexico's population.
Most Mexican-Americans found in the United States fall under this category, thus the term "brown pride" which is used often in west coast cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco.
At times Mestizos can be very light skinned but can have noticeable Indigenous facial features and tan very easily.
guy #1: Did you see they new guy at school?
guy #2: yeah, I think he is a Castizo
girl #1: No, dingbat, he is a Mestizo.
guy #2: yeah, I think he is a Castizo
girl #1: No, dingbat, he is a Mestizo.
by closeyurlegsperusmellslikefish October 29, 2013
Originally denoting a person of mixed white and indigenous race in former Spanish colonies in Latin America and the Philippines. This is not strictly the case anymore.
Nowadays, particularly in Latin America, it really denotes any mainstream Latino/a, regardless of their actual ancestry. Oftentimes, indeed, perhaps most of the time, people who are purely American Indian by race are called "mestizos" simply because they speak Spanish, do not have any tribal affiliation, and are otherwise just seen as a mainstream Mexican/Peruvian/Ecuadorian, etc. The only people termed "Indians" nowadays in Latin America are those who maintain an ethnic identity apart from the mainstream, speak a non-Spanish language, etc.
In the Philippines, unlike Latin America, "mestizo" has maintained its mostly racial definition.
Nowadays, particularly in Latin America, it really denotes any mainstream Latino/a, regardless of their actual ancestry. Oftentimes, indeed, perhaps most of the time, people who are purely American Indian by race are called "mestizos" simply because they speak Spanish, do not have any tribal affiliation, and are otherwise just seen as a mainstream Mexican/Peruvian/Ecuadorian, etc. The only people termed "Indians" nowadays in Latin America are those who maintain an ethnic identity apart from the mainstream, speak a non-Spanish language, etc.
In the Philippines, unlike Latin America, "mestizo" has maintained its mostly racial definition.
Carlos was born a Yaqui Indian, but he later moved to Mexico City and now identifies as a mainstream Mexican mestizo.
by Fulminati July 9, 2017