pollo
meat, everyday
Chicken as food is pollo in Mexican Spanish. A hen is a gallina, a rooster is a gallo, and a baby chick is a pollito.
Meaning: the bird or its meat (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| pollo | meat, everyday |
| gallina | hen |
| pollito | chick |
On a menu you see pollo asado, pollo frito and caldo de pollo. Asking ¿Hay pollo? works at any stand.
Which one should you use?
Spanish keeps separate words for the animal and its meat. Gallina is the live hen, pollo is the meat and the young bird.
Did you know?
- Pollo en mole is a classic Mexican dish where chicken is covered in a rich, spiced sauce.
Examples in context
- Quiero tacos de pollo.I want chicken tacos.
- La gallina puso un huevo.The hen laid an egg.
- Mi abuela hace caldo de pollo.My grandma makes chicken soup.
Example conversation
Irma orders lunch at a fonda in San Luis Potosí.
- Irma¿Qué hay de comer hoy?What is there to eat today?
- MeseraPollo en mole y sopa de fideo.Chicken in mole and noodle soup.
- IrmaEl pollo en mole, por favor.The chicken in mole, please.
