A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Lake Xochimilco
Pronounce this famous Mexico City lake and its canals: soh-chee-MIL-koh.
lake xochimilco
soh-chee-MIL-koh
/soh-chee-MIL-koh/ · soh · chee · MIL · koh
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It's a popular destination for both locals and international visitors.
Where the word comes from
Xochimilco is a Nahuatl word meaning 'place of the flowers'. It comes from the Nahuatl words 'xochitl' (flower) and 'mīlpan' (in the field or garden).
Common ways people get it wrong
- zoh-chee-mil-koh The 'X' in Nahuatl names is often pronounced like 'sh' in English, not 'z'.
- sock-see-mil-koh The 'ch' sound is like in 'church', not like 'ck' or 'ks'.
Frequently asked
How do you say Xochimilco?
It's pronounced soh-chee-MIL-koh. The emphasis is on the third syllable, 'MIL'.
What does Xochimilco mean?
Xochimilco is a Nahuatl word meaning 'place of the flowers'. It refers to the historical chinampas, or floating gardens.
Is it a lake or canals?
Xochimilco is a system of canals built on the remnants of a lake. It's famous for its colorful trajineras (boats) that navigate these waterways.
