Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| aperitivo | /apeɾiˈtibo/ | masculine |
| botana | /boˈtana/ | Mexico, feminine |
| pasapalo | /pasapalo/ (from spelling rules) | Venezuela, masculine |
| picada | /piˈkada/ | Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, feminine |
| picadera | /pikadeɾa/ (from spelling rules) | Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, feminine |
| picaíto | /pikaito/ (from spelling rules) | Cuba, masculine |
| pincho | /ˈpint͡ʃo/ | Northern, Spain, masculine |
| piqueo | /pikeo/ (from spelling rules) | Ecuador, masculine |
| tapa | /ˈtapa/ | feminine |
| abreboca | /ˌabɾeˈboka/ | masculine |
An appetizer is a small, light first course. While aperitivo can refer to the food itself, it is also frequently used to refer to the pre-meal drink (the aperitif). 'Entrada' can also mean a main course or a first course in specific regions.
Which one should you use?
The term used for an appetizer varies significantly depending on the region and the specific type of food being served. For example, tapa is a small portion of food typically served with a drink, whereas picada often refers to a platter of assorted meats, cheeses and olives shared among people. While aperitivo is a general term, other words like pasapalo is used specifically for small bites or finger foods served at parties and botana is primarily used in Mexico and parts of Central America to refer to a snack or appetizer often served alongside drinks.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Spanish speakers use different words for an appetizer depending on where they are: • In Mexico and parts of Central America, botana is the common term for a snack or appetizer. • In Venezuela, pasapalo is used specifically for small bites or finger foods served at parties. • In Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, picada refers to an appetizer platter. • In the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, picadera is used. • In Cuba, picaíto is used. • In Northern Spain, pincho is used. • In Ecuador, piqueo is used. • In Spain, tapa refers to a small snack usually served with a drink.
How does it change in a sentence?
aperitivo, pasapalo, picaíto, pincho, piqueo and abreboca are masculine nouns. botana, picada, picadera and tapa are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/apeɾiˈtibo/
When do people say it?
In Mexico, botana is the common term for snacks or appetizers served at social gatherings and antojitos is used primarily in Mexico to refer to small traditional dishes generally served as appetizers or snacks. In Spain, a tapa is a small portion of food typically served with a drink.
Did you know?
- The word tapa literally means 'lid' or 'cover'. Legend suggests it began when bartenders placed a slice of ham or cheese on top of a glass to keep flies or dust out of the drink.
- In Venezuela, the word for party finger foods, pasapalo, literally translates to 'pass stick'. It evokes the image of someone passing around snacks on sticks or small bites.
- In Spain, the tradition of tapeo involves moving from one bar to another, having one tapa and a drink at each location rather than staying in one place.
Examples in context
- Carlos pidió un aperitivo.Carlos ordered an appetizer.This sentence shows how to use aperitivo in a request.Tatoeba #13736288 by Seael, translation #11744525 by Amastan
- Nos gustaría pedir algunos aperitivos, por favorWe would like to order some appetizers, please
- ¿Cuál es la entrada del día?What's the appetizer/main course of the day?
- Vamos a disfrutar de un picoteo con amigosLet's enjoy some finger foods with friends
- Vamos a pedir unas tapas para compartirLet's order some tapas to share
- Me encanta comer antojitos mexicanosI love eating Mexican appetizers
- Voy a preparar unos bocadillos para la fiestaI'm going to prepare some appetizers for the party
- Vamos por unas botanas antes de la cenaLet's go for some appetizers before dinner
- El aperitivo está en la mesa.The appetizer is on the table.
- ¿Quieres un aperitivo antes de la cena?Do you want an appetizer before dinner?
Example conversation
At a restaurant before their main course arrives.
- DanielMaría, ¿pedimos un aperitivo para compartir?María, shall we order an appetizer to share?
- MaríaSí, me parece una buena idea.Yes, I think that is a good idea.
- DanielYo elegiré el aperitivo de queso.I will choose the cheese appetizer.
- MaríaPerfecto, Daniel, yo pediré la bebida.Perfect, Daniel, I will order the drink.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “appetizer” translations and entries aperitivo, botana, pasapalo, picada, pincho, piqueo, tapa, abreboca, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
