tacos de carne
/takos de kaɾne/from spelling rules
The English phrase "beef tacos" is translated into Spanish as tacos de carne.
The phrase refers to small tortillas filled with seasoned beef. Depending on how the beef is prepared, you may encounter more specific variations. For example, tacos de carne guisada refers to stewed or slow-cooked beef tacos, while tacos de carne picada refers to tacos made with minced or ground beef.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of tacos (tacos) and de carne (of meat).
Which one should you use?
While tacos de carne is a general term, tacos de res is a common way to specify beef tacos in many Latin American countries, particularly Mexico, by using the specific word for beef (res).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In parts of Mexico and Central America, you might see tacos de carne guisada used for stewed beef tacos. In parts of Spain or South America, tacos de carne picada is used for tacos made with minced beef. In many Latin American countries, especially Mexico, tacos de res is a common way to specify the meat as beef.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to a single beef taco, use the singular form taco de carne.
Did you know?
- The word taco originally referred to the small plugs of cloth used by silver miners in Mexico to block the holes they drilled into the rock.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, if you simply ask for carne without specifying the animal, a waiter might assume you mean beef by default.
- The word carne is a linguistic relative of the English word 'carnal', which relates to the physical body or flesh.
Examples in context
- Quiero dos tacos de carne, por favor.I want two beef tacos, please.
- Los tacos de carne están muy ricos.The beef tacos are very delicious.
- ¿Tienes tacos de carne en el menú?Do you have beef tacos on the menu?
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are ordering food at a local restaurant.
- AlejandroElena, ¿qué quieres comer?Elena, what do you want to eat?
- ElenaYo quiero unos tacos de carne.I want some beef tacos.
- AlejandroA mí también me gustan mucho.I like them a lot too.
- ElenaEntonces pidamos dos órdenes.Then let's order two portions.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries carne, de, CC BY-SA 4.0.
