Hispanic vs. Latino: Understanding the Essential Differences

The terms Hispanic and Latino are often used interchangeably in everyday conversation, but they represent two distinct and important ethnic identifiers. While they describe large, overlapping populations, their core meanings are rooted in different concepts: one in language, the other in geography. Understanding this fundamental distinction is key to respecting the diverse tapestry of cultures, histories, and identities within the Americas and Spain.

The Key Difference: Language vs. Geography

The confusion between the two terms is understandable, as the majority of people who fall into one category also belong to the other. However, a quick look at the definition reveals the clear boundary separating them.

Hispanic: Based on Language

The term Hispanic relates to Spain or Spanish-speaking countries. It is primarily a linguistic and cultural descriptor.

• Focus: Anyone who speaks Spanish or has origins in a Spanish-speaking country.
• Includes: A person from Spain (Europe) is considered Hispanic, but not Latino, as Spain is not in Latin America.
• Also Includes: People from the 19 Spanish-speaking countries in the Americas (e.g., Mexico, Colombia, Cuba) and even Equatorial Guinea in Africa.

Latino/Latina/Latinx: Based on Geography

The term Latino (or its female form, Latina, and the gender-neutral Latinx) is a shortened version of latinoamericano and refers to geography: people from, or with ancestry from, Latin America. Latin America includes the regions of the Americas colonized by Romance-language speaking countries, historically Spain, Portugal, and France.

• Focus: Anyone from or with origins in the geographic region of Latin America (Mexico, Central America, South America, and parts of the Caribbean).
• Includes: A person from Brazil is considered Latino, but not Hispanic, because their primary language is Portuguese, not Spanish.
• Excludes: The term generally excludes Spain and other European countries, as well as countries within the Americas that primarily speak English (like Jamaica) or Dutch.

Who Is Both, Who Is Neither?

The simplest way to clarify the distinction is to look at the three main groups:

Both Hispanic and Latino:

A person from Mexico, Venezuela, or Chile. They are from a Spanish-speaking country (Hispanic) that is also located in the Americas (Latino).

Latino, But Not Hispanic:

A person from Brazil. They are from Latin America (Latino) but speak Portuguese, not Spanish (not Hispanic).

Hispanic, But Not Latino:

A person from Spain. They are from a Spanish-speaking country (Hispanic) but are located in Europe, not Latin America (not Latino).

Neither Hispanic Nor Latino:

A person from France or Italy. Although they speak Romance languages, they are not from Spain and are not from Latin America.

The Significance of Identity and Modern Usage

In the United States, both terms are commonly used by the U.S. Census Bureau to denote a person's ethnicity, not their race, a distinction first introduced in 1977. However, the way people use and identify with these terms is often personal and complex.

The Emergence of Latinx and Latine

The term Latinx has been increasingly used as a gender-neutral alternative to Latino/Latina, especially in the United States and academic settings, to promote greater inclusion of gender-nonconforming individuals. Similarly, Latine (la-teen-eh) is another gender-neutral option gaining traction, particularly among those who find Latinx difficult to pronounce within Spanish. The most critical rule of engagement remains simple: always respect a person's preferred term of self-identification.

Ultimately, while Hispanic connects individuals through the legacy of the Spanish language, Latino unites a vast region by its shared geography. Recognizing this difference is not just about vocabulary; it is about acknowledging the rich, multifaceted identities of nearly 20% of the U.S. population and the countless more across the globe.