torta
Colombia
In Colombia "cake" is torta, as in torta de cumpleaños. Ponqué is a Colombian word for a pound cake or sponge cake, and in Bogotá it is also used for cake in general. It is also called pastel.
Meaning: sweet baked dessert (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| torta | Colombia |
| ponqué | pound cake, Colombia |
| pastel | pastry, savory |
At a party you eat torta. In a shop, ponqué is the packaged loaf-style cake.
Which one should you use?
In Colombia pastel is a pastry, often savory, as in pastel de pollo. It is not the word for a birthday cake.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Ponqué is a distinctly Colombian word, coming from the English "pound cake", and it is mostly heard in Bogotá and the interior.
Did you know?
- The Colombian word ponqué is believed to come from the English "pound cake".
Examples in context
- Compramos una torta de chocolate.We bought a chocolate cake.
- Quiero un trozo de ponqué.I want a piece of pound cake.
- Hice una torta de cumpleaños.I made a birthday cake.
Example conversation
Diana and her mother Rosa choose a cake at a bakery in Barranquilla from the Panadero.
- DianaMamá, ¿qué torta pedimos?Mom, which cake do we order?
- RosaUna de chocolate, que es la favorita.A chocolate one, that is the favorite.
- PanaderoLa torta de chocolate está lista.The chocolate cake is ready.
- DianaPerfecto, la llevamos.Perfect, we will take it.
