corrido: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (in general English, but high within specific cultural/linguistic contexts)Specialist (Musicology/Ethnomusicology), Cultural (within discussions of Mexican/Latin American culture)
Quick answer
What does “corrido” mean?
A Mexican or Mexican-American narrative ballad or folk song, typically recounting stories of heroes, social struggles, historical events, or romantic tales.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A Mexican or Mexican-American narrative ballad or folk song, typically recounting stories of heroes, social struggles, historical events, or romantic tales.
A form of Mexican folk music that serves as a musical newspaper, chronicling contemporary events, social issues, political struggles, and the lives of everyday people, often with a corridista (composer/singer) improvising lyrics to traditional tunes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is equally rare in mainstream British and American English. In the US, due to proximity and a larger Mexican-American population, it has slightly wider recognition in cultural and academic contexts.
Connotations
In the US, it connotes Mexican-American border culture, immigration stories, and Chicano identity. In the UK, it is primarily an academic/ethnomusicological term with fewer direct cultural associations.
Frequency
Virtually non-existent in everyday British English. In American English, its use is heavily regional (Southwest) and community-specific.
Grammar
How to Use “corrido” in a Sentence
The corrido tells of/about [event/person].[Singer/Group] performed a corrido [about/of X].The corrido [chronicles/celebrates/laments] the life of X.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “corrido” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not used as a verb in English)
American English
- (Not used as a verb in English)
adverb
British English
- (Not used as an adverb)
American English
- (Not used as an adverb)
adjective
British English
- The corrido tradition is vibrant.
- (Rarely used adjectivally)
American English
- He has a corrido-style of singing.
- A corrido-influenced melody.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
"The post-revolutionary corrido functioned as a tool for constructing collective memory among displaced communities."
Everyday
"My grandfather loves to listen to corridos about the old country."
Technical
"The harmonic progression of the classic corrido often centers on the I, IV, and V chords in a major key."
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “corrido”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “corrido”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “corrido”
- Mispronouncing it with a hard 'c' as in 'coral' (/ˈkɒr.ɪ.dəʊ/). The double 'r' indicates a rolled/trilled 'r' in Spanish.
- Using it as a general term for any Spanish-language song.
- Misspelling as 'corido' (single 'r').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While mariachi groups may perform corridos, mariachi is an ensemble and a broader style of music. Corrido is a specific song genre (a narrative ballad) that can be played by various ensembles, including norteño bands.
The past participle of the verb 'correr' (to run). It can mean 'run', 'flowing', or 'current'. In the musical context, it suggests a story that 'runs' or unfolds.
Not necessarily. While often historical, corridos are highly contemporary. They are sometimes called 'musical newspapers' because they are composed quickly about current events, from political scandals to immigrant journeys.
A rancher is a broader genre of Mexican folk music, often focusing on love, patriotism, or nature, with a distinctive rhythmic pattern. A corrido is a type of song within or adjacent to the rancher genre defined primarily by its narrative, story-telling function.
A Mexican or Mexican-American narrative ballad or folk song, typically recounting stories of heroes, social struggles, historical events, or romantic tales.
Corrido is usually specialist (musicology/ethnomusicology), cultural (within discussions of mexican/latin american culture) in register.
Corrido: in British English it is pronounced /kɒˈriːdəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /kɔːˈridoʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He lived a life worthy of a corrido.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CORRIDO = CORRIDOR of stories. Just as a corridor connects rooms, a corrido connects people to stories and history.
Conceptual Metaphor
MUSIC IS HISTORY / A SONG IS A NEWSPAPER.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'narcocorrido' a sub-genre of?