vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Maya" is a form of "maya", a noun which is often translated as "Maya". "Náhuatl" is a noun which is often translated as "Nahuatl Indian". Learn more about the difference between "maya" and "náhuatl" below.
el maya, la maya, maya(
mah
-
yah
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (language)
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
a. Maya
Algunos dicen que los antiguos mayas predijeron que el mundo se acabaría en el 2012.Some say the ancient Mayas predicted that the world would end in 2012.
b. Mayan
Los maya en la Selva Lacandona siguen conservando su idioma.The Mayans in the Lacandon Jungle continue to preserve their language.
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
el náhuatl, la náhuatl(
nah
-
wah
-
tl
)This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
a. Nahuatl Indian
Los náhuatls nos dieron palabras como "chocolate" y "coyote".The Nahuatl Indians gave us words such as "chocolate" and "coyote."
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
2. (language)
a. Nahuatl
El náhuatl se sigue hablando en zonas rurales de México.Nahuatl is still spoken in rural areas of Mexico.