Pronunciation: [ˈaztɛkəz] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "aztecas" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). In IPA, "a" is pronounced as "ah", "z" as "z", "t" as "t", "e" as "eh", "c" as "k", and "as" as "ahs". Therefore, "aztecas" is pronounced as "ahz-teh-kahs". This word refers to the indigenous people of Mexico who inhabited the region from the 14th to the 16th century before being conquered by the Spanish.
Aztecas refers to a civilization that flourished in Mesoamerica during the 14th to the 16th centuries. The term specifically denotes the ethnic group who inhabited the ancient Mexican city of Tenochtitlán, also known as the Aztec capital, which is now present-day Mexico City. As a noun, the word primarily represents the indigenous people belonging to this civilization.
The Aztecas exhibit a rich cultural heritage and are famous for their impressive achievements in architecture, engineering, agriculture, mathematics, and astronomical observations. They are widely recognized for their deep-rooted religious practices, particularly their reverence for gods such as Huitzilopochtli and Quetzalcoatl. The Aztecas developed a complex and organized society, incorporating aspects like warrior classes, hierarchical structures, and extensive trade networks.
Furthermore, Aztecas is often referred to as the collective name for the Nahua-speaking peoples who formed the core of the Aztec Empire. Their language, Nahuatl, played a significant role in their communication and religious ceremonies. The Aztecas were known for their conquests and expansionist policies, through which they established a vast empire extending over large parts of Mesoamerica.
In modern times, the term Aztecas is also used to describe the descendants and remnants of this ancient civilization. These individuals, residing primarily in Mexico, hold a cultural heritage that includes traditions, customs, and a proud connection to their Aztec roots. Re-encountering and reclaiming their ancestral practices, the modern Aztecas contribute to the preservation and celebration of their unique heritage.
The word "aztecas" is derived from the Nahuatl language, which was spoken by the Aztecs, an ancient civilization that existed in what is now modern-day Mexico. In Nahuatl, the word for "people from Aztlan" (believed to be the ancestral homeland of the Aztecs) is "aztecatl". Over time, this term evolved into "azteca" and eventually "aztecas" in Spanish, which is the plural form of the word, referring to the Aztec people as a whole.
