buche
/ˈbut͡ʃe/
The English phrase 'crop' (referring to a bird's throat pouch) is translated into Spanish as buche.
In a biological context, buche refers to the crop or pouch in a bird's throat where food is stored before it undergoes digestion.
Which one should you use?
The diminutive form buchito can be used to mean 'little crop' or 'little pouch', often adding an affectionate or more descriptive tone to the word.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbutʃe/
Did you know?
- The word buche shares a distant linguistic ancestor with the English word 'cheek', as both stem from the Latin 'bucca' meaning 'cheek'.
- In several Spanish-speaking countries, tener el buche lleno is an idiom meaning to be completely stuffed with food or to have had enough to eat.
- In some Latin American slang, buche can refer to a small amount of alcohol or a drink taken in a single gulp.
Examples in context
- El buche del ave está lleno de semillas.The bird's crop is full of seeds.
- Podemos ver el buche de la gallina.We can see the hen's crop.
- La comida pasa del buche al estómago.The food passes from the crop to the stomach.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are observing poultry on a farm.
- AlejandroMira el buche de esa gallina.Look at that hen's crop.
- MaríaEs muy grande, Alejandro.It is very large, Alejandro.
- AlejandroSeguro que ha comido mucho hoy.She must have eaten a lot today.
- MaríaSí, se ve muy llena.Yes, she looks very full.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry buche, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries buche, CC BY-SA 4.0.
