chile relleno
/t͡ʃile ɾeʝeno/from spelling rules
chile relleno is the Spanish term for a traditional Mexican dish consisting of a roasted poblano pepper stuffed with cheese or meat.
The term refers specifically to a dish where a pepper is stuffed with fillings like meat or cheese.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means 'stuffed chili'. The word relleno is the past participle of the verb rellenar, which means to fill or to stuff.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the state of Puebla, Mexico, a variant of chile relleno is called chile en nogada. In some parts of Colombia, a stuffed pepper dish is referred to as pimiento relleno de carne.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, both the noun chile and the adjective relleno must take the plural suffix '-s'.
How do you pronounce it?
/tʃile ɾeʝeno/
Did you know?
- The word chile finds its way into English through the Nahuatl word chīlli, making it a direct linguistic descendant of the language of the Aztecs.
- The word relleno can be used in a non-culinary sense to describe 'filler' material used to plug a gap or add bulk to a document.
- In Mexican Spanish, chile refers to any variety of pepper, regardless of whether it is spicy or mild, which can confuse travelers looking for 'chili' heat.
Examples in context
- Me gustaría pedir un chile relleno, por favorI would like to order a chile relleno, please.
- En México, el chile relleno es un plato muy popularIn Mexico, the chile relleno is a very popular dish.
- ¿Has probado el chile relleno? Es deliciosoHave you tried the chile relleno? It's delicious.
- El chile relleno está delicioso.The chile relleno is delicious.
- Quiero pedir un chile relleno de queso.I want to order a cheese-stuffed chile relleno.
- Mi madre prepara un chile relleno excelente.My mother prepares an excellent chile relleno.
Example conversation
At a Mexican restaurant.
- Javier¿Qué me recomiendas comer?What do you recommend I eat?
- LucíaEl chile relleno es la especialidad aquí.The chile relleno is the specialty here.
- JavierPerfecto, pediré un chile relleno.Perfect, I will order a chile relleno.
- LucíaTe va a encantar, Javier.You are going to love it, Javier.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chile, relleno, CC BY-SA 4.0.
