Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| carne de res | /ˌkaɾne de ˈres/ | feminine |
| carne de vaca | /ˌkaɾne de ˈbaka/ | feminine |
| carne bovina | /kaɾne bobina/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| rotí | /roti/ (from spelling rules) | Dominican Republic, masculine |
| matagón | /mataɡon/ (from spelling rules) | El Salvador, masculine |
In a culinary context, it is frequently used to distinguish beef from other meats.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase carne de res breaks down into carne (meat) and de res (of cattle/oxen).
Which one should you use?
Carne de res is the most common way to specify beef in a culinary setting. Carne de vaca is another way to express the same idea, while carne bovina is used for more specialized purposes.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Carne bovina is a formal or technical term, typically found in scientific, veterinary or industrial contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Dominican Republic, rotí is a masculine term used for beef. In El Salvador, matagón is a masculine term for the same. In Argentina, bife refers specifically to a steak or a cut of beef and in Mexico, bistec may be used when referring to a specific steak or cut.
How does it change in a sentence?
The common forms carne de res, carne de vaca and carne bovina are all feminine nouns. The regional terms rotí and matagón are masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌkaɾne de ˈres/
Did you know?
- The word for beef, carne de res, literally translates to 'meat of thing' because the word res comes from the Latin word for 'thing' or 'property'.
- In Argentina, the culture of eating carne is so central that they have a specific name for the social gathering centered around the grill, called an asado.
- The word bistec used in Mexico is a phonetic Spanish adaptation of the English words 'beef steak'.
Examples in context
- Me encanta la carne de res.I love beef.This sentence is useful for expressing a preference for carne de res.Tatoeba #9443871 by ignacio, translation #4805128 by Raringo
- ¿Quieren ustedes carne de vaca o de cerdo?Do you want beef or pork?This sentence is useful for choosing between carne de vaca and pork.Tatoeba #2258167 by hayastan, translation #2258166 by _undertoad
- Ella no come carne bovina.She doesn't eat beef.This sentence is useful for stating that someone does not eat carne bovina.Tatoeba #1102678 by alexmarcelo, translation #3115508 by OJR1
- Mi restaurante favorito sirve deliciosa carne de res a la parrilla.My favorite restaurant serves delicious grilled beef.
- Podemos hacer un asado con esta carne.We can have a barbecue with this beef.
- En México, los tacos de carne de res son muy populares.In Mexico, beef tacos are very popular.
Example conversation
María and Daniel are making a shopping list in the kitchen.
- MaríaNecesitamos comprar carne de res.We need to buy beef.
- Daniel¿Quieres que yo la compre?Do you want me to buy it?
- MaríaSí, por favor, Daniel.Yes, please, Daniel.
- DanielEstá bien, María.Okay, María.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “beef” translations and entries carne de res, carne de vaca, 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.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries carne, de, res, vaca, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
