carne asada
Mexico, north
In Mexico there is no single word for barbecue. Grilled meat at a get-together is carne asada, while barbacoa is meat, often lamb, cooked slowly in a pit or oven. It is also called parrillada.
Meaning: grilled or slow cooked meat meal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| carne asada | Mexico, north |
| barbacoa | Mexico |
| parrillada | regional |
Hacer una carne asada is how Mexicans say "to have a barbecue", especially in the north. Barbacoa is a weekend treat sold by weight with tortillas and salsa.
Which one should you use?
The English word barbecue comes from the Taíno word that became barbacoa, but in Mexico the word names a specific dish and not a grill event.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, a grill-up is asado, and parrillada is a mixed grill from a restaurant.
Did you know?
- The word barbacoa is of Taíno origin and passed into English as "barbecue".
Examples in context
- Vamos a hacer una carne asada el domingo.We are going to have a barbecue on Sunday.
- Compra un kilo de barbacoa.Buy a kilo of barbacoa.
- Pedimos una parrillada para todos.We ordered a mixed grill for everyone.
Example conversation
Neighbors Joaquín and Beatriz plan a Sunday get-together in Hermosillo.
- JoaquínBeatriz, ¿hacemos una carne asada el domingo?Beatriz, shall we have a barbecue on Sunday?
- BeatrizVa, yo llevo las tortillas.OK, I will bring the tortillas.
- JoaquínYo compro la carne y el carbón.I will buy the meat and the charcoal.
- BeatrizPerfecto, invitamos a los vecinos.Perfect, we will invite the neighbors.
