pastel
everyday, Mexico
In Mexico a cake is a pastel. A birthday cake is a pastel de cumpleaños, and a slice is a rebanada de pastel. It is also called bizcocho.
Meaning: a sweet baked dessert (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| pastel | everyday, Mexico |
| bizcocho | sponge, other regions |
Say pastel for almost any cake, from chocolate to tres leches. The cake shop is a pastelería.
Which one should you use?
Do not say torta for a sweet cake in Mexico. A torta is a sandwich on a bread roll. In Spain and some other countries tarta is the common word for cake.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Because torta means cake in several other countries, learners sometimes order a torta expecting dessert and get a sandwich.
Did you know?
- Many Mexican birthday parties include singing Las Mañanitas before the cake is cut.
Examples in context
- Voy a comprar un pastel para tu cumpleaños.I am going to buy a cake for your birthday.
- ¿Quieres una rebanada de pastel?Do you want a slice of cake?
- El pastel de tres leches es mi favorito.Tres leches cake is my favorite.
Example conversation
Ana orders a birthday cake at a bakery in Querétaro.
- AnaBuenos días, quiero un pastel de chocolate.Good morning, I want a chocolate cake.
- Panadero¿Para cuántas personas?For how many people?
- AnaPara diez, por favor.For ten, please.
