mariachi

IPA/ˌmæriˈɑːtʃi/
KK[mˌɑriˈɑtʃi]IPA/ˌmɑːriˈɑːtʃi/

mariachi — noun

  • mariachisingular
  • mariachisplural

1. a traditional Mexican folk-music style played on string instruments and trumpets

1.nounB1
Definition

a traditional Mexican folk-music style played on string instruments and trumpets, often heard at family celebrations and public festivals.

Example

On Saturday mornings, the bakery played mariachi over its speakers while customers waited in line.

pattern: [business] + plays + [uncountable music genre] + over speakers

Harper downloaded several mariachi albums before her trip to Guadalajara.

collocation: download + music albums

Common collocations
  • play mariachi
  • hear mariachi
  • listen to mariachi
  • mariachi music
  • live mariachi
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

mariachi + singular verb

listen to / play / hear + mariachi

Usage Note

Uncountable noun — do not add -s for the music style. Use 'mariachi music' or 'a mariachi song' when referring to specific pieces.

Common Mistakes

I love listening to mariachis on the radio' (referring to the music).
I love listening to mariachi on the radio.
The music style is uncountable and does not take -s.

2. a small band that plays traditional Mexican songs, with musicians wearing matchi

2.nounB1
Definition

a small band that plays traditional Mexican songs, with musicians wearing matching charro outfits and playing string instruments and trumpets.

Example

A mariachi of seven musicians arrived at the Quinceañera and began to play.

pattern: a mariachi of + number + musicians

The restaurant hired a local mariachi to entertain guests during dinner service.

Common collocations
  • hire a mariachi
  • a mariachi plays / play
  • mariachi band
  • a mariachi of
Synonyms
  • band

    a general term for any musical group; mariachi is a specific kind of band

  • ensemble

    slightly more formal and often used for smaller groups

  • group

    the broadest term, no implication of musical genre

Grammar Patterns

a + mariachi + singular/plural verb

mariachi + of + number + musicians

Usage Note

Countable noun for the band as a whole. May take a singular verb when the group is seen as one unit, or a plural verb when the individual members are emphasised.

Common Mistakes

A mariachi bands played at the party.
A mariachi band played at the party.
'Mariachi' already contains the idea of a group; adding 'band' is optional but if used, do not make 'band' plural.

3. a performer who plays instruments and sings in a traditional Mexican folk band o

3.nounB2
Definition

a performer who plays instruments and sings in a traditional Mexican folk band of the mariachi style, usually skilled at guitar, trumpet, violin, or vocals.

Example

The mariachi adjusted his wide-brimmed hat before the performance began.

Kenji waved at the mariachi as he played his trumpet on the street corner.

Common collocations
  • become a mariachi
  • a mariachi plays
  • each mariachi
  • young mariachi
Synonyms
  • musician

    general term; mariachi is a musician who plays a specific Mexican style

  • folk musician

    broader term covering players of various traditional styles

Grammar Patterns

a + mariachi + singular verb

mariachi + plays + instrument

Usage Note

Countable noun for a single performer. The plural form is mariachis. This sense is less common than senses 1 and 2 in everyday English.

Common Mistakes

Three mariachi walked into the restaurant' (meaning three individual musicians).
Three mariachis walked into the restaurant.
When counting individual performers, use the plural form mariachis.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Mariachi is a specific style of Mexican folk music from the state of Jalisco, characterised by string instruments (guitar, vihuela, guitarrón) and trumpets played by musicians in distinctive charro outfits. 'Mexican folk music' is a broader category that includes many regional styles (norteño, ranchera, son jarocho) beyond mariachi. 'Latin music' is wider still, encompassing all Spanish- and Portuguese-language music from Latin America, including salsa, bachata, and reggaeton. 'Band music' is the most general term and could refer to any group playing any genre. For example, a Mexican restaurant might play mariachi for atmosphere, while a Latin music festival would feature many genres side by side.

mariachi ↗Mexican folk musicLatin musicband music

Common collocations

Nouns

  • mariachi music
  • mariachi band
  • mariachi song
  • mariachi group
  • mariachi outfit
  • mariachi album
  • mariachi performance

Etymology

French (possibly)Mexican SpanishEnglish

The word 'mariachi' comes from Mexican Spanish, possibly from the French word 'mariage' (marriage), because these musical groups often performed at wedding celebrations. Another theory traces it to an indigenous word from the Coca language meaning 'musician' or 'platform for dancers'. The modern mariachi tradition developed in the 19th century in the state of Jalisco, Mexico.