What is the Difference Between Hispanic and Latino?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The terms "Hispanic" and "Latino" refer to ethnicity, culture, and identity, and are used to describe different groups of people based on shared culture rather than skin color. The main differences between the two terms are:
- Hispanic: This term refers to a person with ancestry from a country whose primary language is Spanish. It is generally accepted as a narrower term that includes people only from Spanish-speaking Latin America, including those countries/territories of the Caribbean.
- Latino: This term refers to a person with origins from anywhere in Latin America (Mexico, South and Central America) and the Caribbean. It is understood as shorthand for the Spanish word "latinoamericano" or the Portuguese "latino". The term "Latino" does not include speakers of Romance languages from Europe, such as Italians or Spaniards.
In summary, the main difference between the two terms lies in the geographical regions they cover. "Hispanic" specifically refers to people with ancestry from Spanish-speaking countries, while "Latino" encompasses a broader range of people with origins in Latin America, including non-Spanish-speaking countries like Brazil.
Comparative Table: Hispanic vs Latino
The terms "Hispanic" and "Latino" are often used to describe people with a background in a Spanish-speaking country or from Latin America. However, there are some differences between the two terms:
| Hispanic | Latino |
|---|---|
| Refers to people with a Spanish-speaking background | Refers to people who hail from Latin America, including Brazilians |
| Focuses on language (Spanish) | Focuses on geography (Latin America) |
| Includes people from Spanish-speaking countries/territories in the Caribbean | May exclude people from French- or Dutch-speaking countries in Latin America, such as French Guiana, Belize, and Guyana |
| Can be any race or color | Can be any race or color |
It is important to note that these categories refer only to a person's origin and ancestry, and a person of Hispanic or Latino origin can be of any race or color. The terms are often used interchangeably, but they convey slightly different connotations, with "Hispanic" generally focusing on language and "Latino" focusing on geography.
- Mexican vs Hispanic
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- Mexican vs Spanish
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- Race vs Ethnicity
- Cultural vs Ethnic
- Nationality vs Ethnicity
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- Mexico vs United States
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- Black vs African American
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- North America vs South America