barbacoa
/baɾbaˈkoa/
The English phrase 'braai' can be translated into Spanish as barbacoa.
A braai refers to a social gathering where meat is cooked over an open fire or coals.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In South American Spanish, the informal term Asadito is used to refer to a small barbecue or an informal grilling session.
How do you pronounce it?
/baɾbaˈkoa/
Did you know?
- The English word 'barbecue' is a direct linguistic descendant of the Spanish barbacoa, which itself was borrowed from indigenous Caribbean languages.
- In Mexico, barbacoa often refers to a specific dish where meat is slow-cooked in a pit oven lined with agave leaves, rather than grilled over open coals.
- The word barbacoa actually refers to a primitive structure of sticks rather than the act of cooking itself. It was originally used by the Taíno people to describe a raised platform for sleeping or drying food.
Examples in context
- Person A: Estoy organizando un asadito en mi casa. ¿Vienes? | Person B: ¡Qué genial! Me encanta disfrutar de una buena parrillada al aire libre.Person A: I'm organizing a braai at my place. Are you coming? | Person B: That sounds great! I love enjoying a good outdoor barbecue.
- Vamos a organizar una barbacoa este domingo.We are going to organize a barbecue this Sunday.
- La barbacoa fue un éxito total.The barbecue was a total success.
- ¿Traes algo para la barbacoa de mañana?Are you bringing something for tomorrow's barbecue?
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are discussing plans for the weekend.
- AlejandroElena, ¿quieres venir a mi barbacoa?Elena, do you want to come to my barbecue?
- Elena¡Claro! Me encantaría ir.Of course! I would love to go.
- AlejandroPerfecto, la barbacoa será en mi jardín.Perfect, the barbecue will be in my garden.
- ElenaEstaré allí a las dos.I will be there at two.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry barbacoa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries barbacoa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
