Words You’ll Want to Know

Every place has its own unique vocabulary. Get a head start when you move to Albuquerque by learning these words.

Acequia

[ah-se-kyah]

Spanish for “irrigation ditch”. Many acequias are located in Albuquerque’s North Valley area where there are still many tracts of agricultural land.

Arroyo

[uh-roi-oh]

A deep gully cut by a flash flood. Usually dry. Flooding likely during summer rainy season.

Bosque

[bohs-kay]

Spanish for “forest or woods”. The “Bosque” is the natural cottonwood forest which runs all along the Rio Grande River. The Bosque is one of the jewels of Albuquerque and has been designated as open space which cannot be developed. It is a favorite area for hiking, biking, horseback riding and family gatherings. No motorized vehicles are permitted.

Chile

New Mexican chile differs from the chiles grown anywhere else in the world. The variety grown in New Mexico is called “Big Jim” chili and varies in hotness from mild to very hot. It is flavorful and packed with vitamin C.

Kiva

[kee-vuh]

Ancient, extra large pit ceremonial room where Native Americans gathered to dance, chant and worship. This term now also refers to a Southwestern style fireplace which is rounded in shape and has rounded openings.

Luminarias or Farolitas

[loo-muh-nah-ree-uh] [fah-ro-lee-tah]

Holiday lights made with brown paper sacks filled with sand and votive candles. Most people display them all around driveways, walkways and roofs during the Christmas Season. The tradition holds that by lighting the luminarias/farolitas, the path for the Christ child would be illuminated.

Monsoon

[mon-soon]

A season of the southwest and adjacent areas that is characterized by very heavy rainfall (April-October)

Posole

[poh-soh-ley]

Traditional type of soup or stew made from hominy, pork, chili and spices. Usually served at holidays.

Ristra

[ree-struh]

Red chili pods, hung in bunches to dry. Often used for decoration.

Swamp Cooler

Also known as evaporative cooler. These are cooling units used by many homes in the Southwest instead of refrigerated air conditioning. They operate on the principal of running water over special pads and pulling outside air over the moistened pads. This type of cooling will normally lower the inside house temperatures by 15 to 20 degrees.