cecina
/θeˈθina/
The English phrase beef jerky is translated into Spanish as cecina.
The term used to translate beef jerky varies depending on whether you want to be specific or generic, and where you are located.
Meaning: Translations (noun)
Which one should you use?
cecina refers to cured, air-dried beef. If you wish to be more generic and describe any kind of dried meat, you can use carne seca. For a very informal expression, you might use jerky de res.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, cecina is specifically used to refer to cured, air-dried beef. In Mexico and Spain, cecina is also used to refer to beef jerky. In parts of South America, specifically Bolivia, Chile and Peru, the word charqui is used to refer to beef jerky. Across Latin America, the more generic term carne seca is used to describe dried meat, which includes beef jerky.
How do you pronounce it?
/θeˈθina/
Did you know?
- The word charqui used in South America is the actual origin of the English word 'jerky'.
- The term charqui is actually a loanword from the Quechua language, the indigenous language of the Inca Empire.
- In Spain, cecina de León is a protected geographical product with a specific traditional curing process in the province of León.
Examples in context
- Disculpe, ¿tiene carne seca en el menú?Excuse me, do you have beef jerky on the menu?
- Me encanta el jerky de res, es mi snack favoritoI love beef jerky, it's my favorite snack.
- Me encanta comer cecina.I love eating beef jerky.
- Compré un poco de cecina.I bought some beef jerky.
- La cecina es muy sabrosa.The beef jerky is very tasty.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are at a snack bar.
- Lucía¿Quieres probar esta cecina?Do you want to try this beef jerky?
- MateoSí, me gusta mucho la cecina.Yes, I like beef jerky a lot.
- LucíaEs perfecta para un aperitivo.It is perfect for a snack.
- MateoTienes razón, Lucía.You are right, Lucía.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cecina, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
