9 Words Only People From New Mexico Can Correctly Pronounce

As you look at a map of New Mexico, many town names may cause you to scratch your head. These town names are difficult to spell, but they are even harder to pronounce. If you’ve lived in New Mexico for years, you have hopefully learned the lingo and can properly pronounce all the interesting place names in our home state.

Let’s see just how much you know when it comes to the Land of Enchantment. Here are nine hard-to-pronounce New Mexico cities—which ones do you think you get right?

1. Abiquiu

Abiquiu, New Mexico, is a small town of fewer than 200 people. But it's still considered a popular tourist destination, thanks to its stunning desert rock formations, parks, and lookouts. But don’t blend in with the touristy crowd by pronouncing the town's name wrong. It's pronounced "AB-ick-you," not "Ab-ick-we."

2. Arroyo Seco

This town in Taos County may be small, but its name is a mouthful. True New Mexico natives know to pronounce this town: "Ahr-oi’-ya-say’-ko." Practice the name while wandering through the quaint streets, shopping at local businesses, eating at a local cantina, and taking in the mountainous scenery.

3. Caballo

It doesn’t matter if you're talking about the tiny town of Caballo located on Highway 187, the Caballo Mountains, Caballo Reservoir, or Caballo Lake State Park; you don’t want to pronounce the word "Caballo" wrong. Make sure you pronounce this word "Ka-vhah’-yoh" to prove you’re a true New Mexico local—not a hopeful wannabe.

4. Chimayo

Please don’t pronounce this beautiful area in Northern New Mexico "Chim-Mayo." This village and well-known sanctuary are pronounced "Shee-my-yoh’." You can visit the sanctuary every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.—the two chapels are open for prayers or simply for wandering around and taking in the building's beauty and architecture. Chimayo is definitely a stop to add to any New Mexico trip.

5. Lamy

You’ve probably heard this rural town in Santa Fe County pronounced "lam-ee." Don’t make that mistake, especially if you’ve lived in the Land of Enchantment for long. This small town is pronounced "Lay’-mee," and is home to the historic Lamy Train Station (part of the Santa Fe Railroad), among other fun sightseeing destinations.

6. Mogollon

How do you pronounce this former mining town in Catron County? Is it "Mog-O-lon?" "Mo-gol-on?" If you pronounce this ghost town as one of these options, you would be wrong. This small town is pronounced "Moh-GOY-yon’." It's worth practicing before you go ghost hunting or on a sightseeing tour.

7. Taos

Many people may pronounce this northern New Mexico town like "TAY-os," "tah-os," or even "tacos." But the true pronunciation is "Ta-os," and if you say it right, the locals will very much appreciate it. There's so much culture and history in this charming New Mexico town, from the Pueblo-style storefronts that line the main streets to the stunning winter slopes at Taos Ski Valley resort.

8. Tucumcari

As a popular stop on Route 66, the town of Tucumcari is constantly pronounced wrong. But its residents know you are a true New Mexico native when you pronounce the town’s name "TOO-come-care-ee." There are so many cool things to see in this town, including the historic Blue Swallow Motel, which lights up at night, and the classic cars that line the main streets before heading back on the highway.

9. Tesuque

In the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains is the Tesuque Pueblo in Tesuque, New Mexico. While it is one of the smallest pueblos in the Land of Enchantment, it is also one of the hardest to pronounce. Only long-term New Mexico residents will know that you pronounce this area "Teh-sue-keh." Visit the nearby Camel Rock for a photo-op when you drive through.

How did you do? Are there any other words you would add to this list? Learn all about other unique New Mexico words and traditions by taking a trip to the southwest yourself, and try out Only In Your State's itinerary planner to guide your trip.