cocínalo
/koθinalo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "cook it" is translated into Spanish as cocínalo.
This phrase is used as a command to tell someone to prepare food by heating it.
What does it mean word for word?
The word cocínalo is composed of the imperative verb cocina (cook) and the direct object pronoun lo (it, masculine).
Which one should you use?
The form cocínalo is used in informal situations, while cocínelo is the form used for formal commands.
How does it change in a sentence?
The pronoun at the end of the command must match the gender of the food being prepared. While cocínalo uses the masculine pronoun lo, if the food is a feminine noun, such as la carne (the meat), you should use cocínala instead.
How do you pronounce it?
/koθinalo/
Did you know?
- The verb cocinar is derived from the Latin coquere, which is also the distant ancestor of the English word 'concoct'.
- While cocinar means 'to cook', the word cocción refers to the chemical process of cooking and is used in medicine to describe the 'cooking' of tissues during cauterization.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, cocinar can be used as a slang term for manipulating a set of numbers or facts to create a false result, similar to the English 'cooking the books'.
Examples in context
- Le pido que lo prepare en el horno a 180 gradosI ask that you cook it in the oven at 180 degrees
- Mamá, cocínalo en la sarténMom, cook it in the pan
- Hey, prepáralo a la parrilla, queda deliciosoHey, cook it on the grill, it tastes delicious
- Por favor, cocínelo al puntoPlease cook it medium-rare
- Podrías cocinarlo a fuego lento durante una horaCould you cook it on low heat for an hour
- Me encanta cómo lo preparas, sigue cocinándolo asíI love how you cook it, keep cooking it that way
- Cocínalo a la parrilla para obtener ese sabor ahumadoCook it on the grill to get that smoky flavor
- ¿Sabes cómo prepararlo al vapor?Do you know how to cook it steamed?
- El pescado está fresco, cocínalo hoy.The fish is fresh, cook it today.
- Tengo este filete, cocínalo a la plancha.I have this steak, cook it on the grill.
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are in the kitchen preparing dinner.
- LucíaJavier, tengo este pollo, ¿puedes ayudarme?Javier, I have this chicken, can you help me?
- JavierSí, ¿cómo quieres que lo prepare?Yes, how do you want me to prepare it?
- LucíaCocínalo con un poco de sal y limón.Cook it with a little salt and lemon.
- JavierEstá bien, lo haré ahora mismo.Okay, I will do it right now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
