Picture this: You’re walking down a sunny street in Mexico City. Maybe you’re distracted by the smell of tacos al pastor or trying to navigate Google Maps on your phone. Suddenly, someone yells, "¡Aguas!"
You look up at the sky. No clouds. You look at the ground. No puddles. So why is this person screaming about water?
Welcome to one of the most essential survival terms in the Mexican lexicon. If you hear this word, don't look for rain—duck!
What "Aguas" Actually Means
Literally, yes, aguas means "waters." But in Mexico, nobody uses it in the plural form to talk about liquids. When used as an interjection, it simply means "Watch out!", "Be careful!", or "Heads up!"
It’s the quick, punchy warning we use for everything from immediate physical danger (like an open manhole cover) to social warnings (like your boss walking up behind you while you're checking Instagram).
Think of it as the Mexican equivalent of shouting "Heads up!" in English, but with a lot more history behind it.
The Dirty History Behind the Phrase
Ever wondered why we shout "waters" to warn about danger? The origin story is actually pretty fascinating—and a little bit gross.
We have to go back to colonial times, long before modern plumbing was a thing in Mexico. Back then, people kept washbasins and chamber pots in their bedrooms. When those pots got full (and I think you know what they were full of), people had to empty them.
The easiest way? Tossing the contents right out the window and onto the street.
To be polite—and to avoid ruining someone’s day—residents would shout "¡Agua va!" (Water goes! or Water is coming!) before hurling the bucket's contents. Over time, pedestrians just started shouting "¡Aguas!" to warn each other that "rain" of questionable origin was about to fall.
Thankfully, we have plumbing now. But the phrase stuck. Today, instead of dodging dirty water, you’re usually dodging Mexico City traffic, a loose dog, or a spicy salsa that looks deceptively mild.
How to Use "Aguas" Like a Local
You’ll hear this everywhere. It’s usually followed by "con" (with) to specify what you need to be careful about, or "que" (that) to explain what is happening.
Here are a few scenarios where you’d definitely hear it:
1. The Physical Warning
This is the most common use. You're about to trip, bump into something, or get run over.
"¡Aguas con el escalón!"
"Watch out for the step!"
2. The Social Warning
Imagine you're gossiping about a coworker, and that coworker just walked into the room. Your friend might nudge you and whisper:
"Aguas, que ahí viene..."
"Careful/Heads up, here he comes..."
3. The "Don't Mess Up" Warning
Let's say you're holding a very expensive bottle of tequila or a fragile souvenir.
"Aguas, no lo vayas a tirar."
"Careful, don't drop it."
4. The Threat (The "Or Else" Variation)
Moms love this one. It's used when you're pushing your luck.
"¡Aguas con lo que dices!"
"Watch what you're saying!" (literally: Careful with what you say)
Variations You Should Know
While aguas is the king of warnings, we have a few other ways to tell you to stay alert. If you want to mix it up, try these:
Ojo (Eye): This means "keep an eye out" or "pay attention." It's less about immediate danger and more about being observant. You might see this written on signs.
Cuidado: This is the standard, boring Spanish word for "careful." It works, but it doesn't have the same local flavor.
Ponte trucha: This is great slang. It literally means "put yourself [like a] trout." Trouts are smart, slippery fish that are hard to catch. So, ponte trucha means "get smart" or "be alert."
A Quick Tip for Pronunciation
The trick to sounding natural is the urgency. You don't say "aguas" slowly. It’s sharp. ¡A-guas!
Also, we often use a specific hand gesture with it. Imagine you are waving hello, but your palm is facing down and you flap your hand downward quickly a few times. That’s the non-verbal "aguas."
Want to practice using expressions like this in real conversations without the risk of actually tripping over a crack in the sidewalk? Ahorita drops you into interactive stories where you'll use these terms naturally—like navigating a busy market or chatting with locals in a cafe.
The Bottom Line
If you're visiting Mexico, "Aguas" is one of the first words you should add to your vocabulary. It’s short, it’s effective, and it might just save you from stepping in a puddle (or worse).
So next time you hear someone yell it, don't look for a bottle of water. Just freeze, look around, and say "¡Gracias!"
