totopos con salsa
/totopos kon salsa/from spelling rules
The English phrase "chips and salsa" is translated into Spanish as totopos con salsa.
This phrase describes a snack consisting of fried corn tortilla chips served with a spicy tomato-based dip. In a culinary context, it is important to distinguish this from nachos, which typically implies chips topped with melted cheese and other ingredients.
What does it mean word for word?
The term totopos refers to fried corn tortilla pieces, and con means with.
Which one should you use?
While totopos con salsa refers to plain chips served with a dip, the term nachos is used when the chips are topped with melted cheese and other ingredients.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term totopos is the specific term used in Mexico for fried corn tortilla chips. In Argentina, chips can be referred to as papitas or papas fritas de bolsa, while in Spain, they are often called patatas fritas.
Did you know?
- The word salsa is used in Spanish for any kind of sauce, from a sweet dessert cream to a savory pasta sauce, not just spicy tomato dips.
- The word con shares a common ancestor with the English word 'company', as both originate from the Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'with' or 'together'.
- While 'chips and salsa' is a common English menu item, in Mexico, many people simply refer to the dish as 'botana', which means 'snack' or 'appetizer'.
Examples in context
- ¿Podría traerme papas y salsa, por favor?Could you bring me chips and salsa, please?
- ¿Tienen algo picoso y unos totopos para acompañar?Do you have something spicy and some chips to go with it?
- Me gustaría pedir un plato de totopos con salsa, por favorI would like to order a plate of chips with salsa, please
- Pedimos totopos con salsa para empezar.We ordered chips and salsa to start.
- ¿Traes los totopos con salsa a la mesa?Are you bringing the chips and salsa to the table?
- Me encantan estos totopos con salsa.I love these chips and salsa.
Example conversation
At a Mexican restaurant, Alejandro and Elena are looking at the menu.
- AlejandroElena, ¿quieres totopos con salsa?Elena, do you want chips and salsa?
- ElenaSí, por favor, me encanta la salsa picante.Yes, please, I love spicy salsa.
- AlejandroPerfecto, los voy a pedir ahora.Perfect, I am going to order them now.
- ElenaGracias, Alejandro, eres muy amable.Thanks, Alejandro, you are very kind.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries con, salsa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
