palillos
/paliʝos/from spelling rules
The Spanish word for chopsticks is palillos.
Palillos refers to a pair of thin sticks used as eating utensils to pick up food. While you can simply say palillos, it is common to say palillos chinos (Chinese chopsticks) to be more specific about the type of utensil. Note that in many contexts, palillos is also the standard word for toothpicks, so you must rely on context to distinguish between the two.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In parts of Latin America, such as Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, people often refer to chopsticks as palitos.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form palillos refers to the pair of chopsticks used together, whereas the singular form palillo refers to a single chopstick.
How do you pronounce it?
/paliʝos/
Did you know?
- The word palillos can refer to cotton swabs in certain regions, meaning the same word can describe eating utensils, toothpicks and 'Q-tips'.
- The word palillo is a diminutive of palo, which means 'stick'. This literally translates to 'little sticks'.
- While palillos is the plural for a pair, using the singular palillo almost always refers to a single toothpick rather than one half of a chopstick set.
Examples in context
- No sé comer con palillos.I don't know how to use chopsticks.This sentence is useful for expressing a lack of skill in using palillos.Tatoeba #10322994 by Seael, translation #10322993 by Joshua_42
- ¿Es difícil comer con palillos?Is eating with chopsticks difficult?This sentence is useful for asking about the difficulty of using palillos.Tatoeba #2333719 by marcelostockle, translation #509619 by blay_paul
- En Corea usan palillos metálicos.In Korea they use metal chopsticks.This sentence is useful for noting the use of metal palillos in Korea.Tatoeba #6622384 by arh, translation #12995876 by araneo
- Por favor, ¿me podrías pasar los palillos?Could you pass me the chopsticks, please?
- ¡Estos palillos chinos son realmente difíciles de manejar!These chopsticks are really difficult to handle!
- ¿Dónde puedo conseguir unos buenos palitos para sushi?Where can I get good sushi chopsticks?
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are eating at a Japanese restaurant.
- Elena¿Me prestas tus palillos?Can you lend me your chopsticks?
- DanielClaro, aquí tienes mis palillos.Sure, here are my chopsticks.
- ElenaGracias, Daniel.Thanks, Daniel.
- DanielDe nada, Elena.You're welcome, Elena.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
