Quiz Time: Hispanic, Latino, or Both? Find Your Cultural Identity

Understanding the difference between Hispanic and Latino can be tricky. For many, these terms have been used interchangeably, while for others, they hold very distinct meanings. And when it comes to cultural identification, this is no small matter. With Hispanic Heritage Month becoming an annual focal point for celebrating the richness of these cultures, it’s important to understand where you fit in.

First off, it’s not just about language. While language plays a major role, being Latino or Hispanic goes beyond whether or not you speak Spanish. Both terms are rooted in geographic and cultural history, and there are millions who identify as both. However, choosing how you identify—whether Latino, Hispanic, or something else—depends on your personal or familial connection to certain regions and languages.

What Does It Mean to Be Hispanic?

The term Hispanic typically refers to people who have a cultural or historical link to Spain or Spanish-speaking countries. This means that if your ancestry is tied to a country where Spanish is the dominant language, like Mexico or Argentina, you might consider identifying as Hispanic. But here’s where it gets tricky: Brazilians, who speak Portuguese, generally aren’t considered Hispanic even though Brazil is geographically part of Latin America.

According to the U.S. government, the term Hispanic Americans includes anyone from a Spanish or Portuguese-speaking background, so this adds a bit more complexity. For some, this definition expands to cover people from countries like Brazil, due to its Portuguese heritage. So, while most Hispanics speak Spanish, there’s more to it than just the language.

What Does It Mean to Be Latino?

On the other hand, Latino (or Latine, as many prefer) refers to anyone from Latin America—countries that span from Mexico to Central and South America, including parts of the Caribbean. Whether you speak Spanish, Portuguese, or even French in the case of Haiti, if your heritage ties back to Latin America, you’re likely considered Latino.

One of the key reasons people may prefer the term Latino over Hispanic is that it reflects a broader cultural connection that isn’t solely tied to language. For some, identifying as Latino acknowledges a history of colonialism and cultural mixing, which can’t be captured by language alone.

Can You Be Both?

The short answer is yes. In fact, many people identify as both Hispanic and Latino. If you’re from a Spanish-speaking country in Latin America, such as Colombia or Mexico, you fit both definitions. However, someone from Spain might identify as Hispanic but not Latino, while a Brazilian might identify as Latino but not Hispanic. It all comes down to geography and language.

Ultimately, the choice of how you identify is deeply personal. Some prefer Hispanic, others prefer Latino, and many use them interchangeably. No matter which term you use, the important thing is respecting how others choose to self-identify.

am i hispanic or latino quiz

QUIZ: Am I Hispanic or Latino?

Now that you’ve learned about the differences and similarities between these two terms, let’s see where you stand! Take the quiz below to figure out if you lean more toward identifying as Hispanic, Latino, or maybe both.

1. Where is your family originally from?
A. Spain or a Spanish-speaking country
B. A country in Latin America, regardless of the language spoken (Brazil, Haiti, etc.)
C. A Spanish-speaking country in Latin America (Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, etc.)

2. What language(s) do you or your family primarily speak?
A. Spanish
B. A language from a non-Spanish-speaking Latin American country, like Portuguese or French
C. Spanish, and we’re from a Latin American country

3. Do you feel a strong cultural connection to Latin America, regardless of the language spoken?
A. Not necessarily; I connect more with Spain
B. Yes, my cultural ties are rooted in Latin America but not necessarily through the Spanish language
C. Yes, I connect with Latin American culture and Spanish-speaking cultures

4. Would you feel comfortable identifying yourself based on language or culture?
A. I mostly identify based on the Spanish language, so I consider myself Hispanic
B. I connect with the broader Latin American culture, so I consider myself Latino
C. I identify with both the Spanish language and Latin American culture, so I consider myself both

5. When someone asks you about your cultural background, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?
A. My connection to the Spanish language and heritage
B. My cultural or geographic ties to Latin America
C. Both my Spanish-speaking background and my Latin American roots

Results:

Mostly A’s: You likely identify more as Hispanic. Your connection to Spanish-speaking cultures and countries is important to you.
Mostly B’s: You likely identify more as Latino. You embrace the broader cultural aspects of Latin America, even if the language isn’t Spanish.
Mostly C’s: You identify as both Hispanic and Latino. You’re proud of your Latin American heritage and Spanish-speaking background, seeing both as important aspects of your identity.