papas fritas
Colombia
In Colombia packaged "chips" (crisps) are called papas fritas or, in a friendlier way, papitas. French fries are papas a la francesa.
Meaning: thin fried potato snack (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| papas fritas | Colombia |
| papitas | casual, Colombia |
| papas a la francesa | french fries |
In a Colombian shop you ask for un paquete de papitas. Chips from a restaurant plate are papas a la francesa.
Which one should you use?
The word chips alone is not used much in Colombia, though nachos is used for tortilla chips.
Is it said differently in some regions?
A well-known Colombian brand is Margarita, so many people say papas Margarita for packaged chips.
Did you know?
- Chicken-flavored papas Margarita are one of Colombia's best-known snacks.
Examples in context
- Compré un paquete de papitas.I bought a bag of chips.
- Quiero hamburguesa con papas a la francesa.I want a burger with french fries.
- Las papas fritas están saladas.The chips are salty.
Example conversation
Brian and his sister Laura pick snacks for a movie night at a store in Bogotá.
- BrianLaura, llevemos papitas.Laura, let us get chips.
- Laura¿De pollo o de limón?Chicken or lemon flavor?
- BrianDe pollo, como siempre.Chicken, as always.
- LauraY una gaseosa también.And a soda too.
