Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| picar | /piˈkaɾ/ |
| tajar | /taˈxaɾ/ |
| trocear | /tɾoθeˈaɾ/ /tɾoseˈaɾ/ |
| retazar | /retaθaɾ/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /retasaɾ/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
| retacear | /retaθeaɾ/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /retaseaɾ/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
| tronzar | /tɾonθaɾ/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /tɾonsaɾ/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
The primary way to express chopping is through the verb picar, which means to cut into pieces. You can also use the phrase Cortar en trozos pequeños interchangeably to mean chop.
Which one should you use?
The choice of verb depends on the desired result of the cutting. Picar is the most common verb for chopping small pieces, such as vegetables or garlic, for cooking. If you are dividing something into larger, more substantial chunks or pieces, use trocear. If the action involves making a long, deep cut or a slit with a sharp blade, use tajar. Other forms include retazar, retacear and tronzar.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some parts of Mexico, picar may be replaced with the phrase cortar en cuadritos to mean chop into small squares.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/piˈkaɾ/
Did you know?
- In some contexts, picar is used colloquially to describe someone who is getting annoyed or 'triggered' by a comment.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, picar can also mean to snack on small amounts of food between meals, such as 'picando' appetizers at a party.
- While picar means to chop, it is also the standard verb used to say 'to peck' when referring to a bird's beak.
Examples in context
- picar cebollasTo chop onionsThis example is useful for seeing how to use picar when preparing vegetables.
- Por favor, pique las cebollas finamente antes de agregarlas a la sartén.Please chop the onions finely before adding them to the pan.
- El chef cortó en trozos pequeños las zanahorias para la ensalada.The chef chopped the carrots into small pieces for the salad.
- ¿Me puedes picar los tomates para la salsa, por favor?Can you chop the tomatoes for the sauce, please?
- Corta las frutas en pedazos pequeños.Chop the fruits into small pieces.
- Tienes que picar la carne para el guiso.You have to chop the meat for the stew.
- Voy a picar el chocolate para el postre.I am going to chop the chocolate for dessert.
Example conversation
In a kitchen, Maria and Mateo are preparing a meal together.
- MaríaMateo, ¿puedes picar el ajo, por favor?Mateo, can you chop the garlic, please?
- MateoSí, María, lo haré ahora mismo.Yes, Maria, I will do it right now.
- MaríaGracias, necesito que sea muy fino.Thank you, I need it to be very fine.
- MateoNo te preocupes, lo picaré bien.Don't worry, I will chop it well.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chop” translations and entries picar, tajar, trocear, retacear, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
