totopos
/totopos/from spelling rules
The English phrase corn chips is translated into Spanish as totopos.
Totopos refers to the triangular fried or baked corn tortillas used as a snack or accompaniment to dips.
Which one should you use?
While chips de maíz is a more literal translation that is understood, it is less idiomatic in many regions than totopos, which specifically refers to the triangular chips used for dipping.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, corn chips are typically referred to as totopos.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form is totopo, though the plural totopos is much more frequently used when ordering or referring to the snack in general.
How do you pronounce it?
/totopos/
Did you know?
- The word totopo comes from the Nahuatl language, the tongue of the Aztecs, and originally meant 'toasted tortilla'.
- Traditionally, totopos were created as a way to preserve old, stale tortillas by drying them out so they could be stored and eaten later.
- If you are in Spain, you are much more likely to hear the term nachos for these snacks, whereas in Mexico, nachos refers specifically to the dish with melted cheese rather than the chips themselves.
Examples in context
- Compré totopos para la fiesta.I bought corn chips for the party.
- Los totopos están muy crujientes.The corn chips are very crunchy.
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are preparing snacks in the kitchen.
- LucíaAlejandro, ¿hay totopos en la alacena?Alejandro, are there any corn chips in the pantry?
- AlejandroSí, Lucía, hay una bolsa grande.Yes, Lucía, there is a large bag.
- LucíaPerfecto, los usaré con el guacamole.Perfect, I will use them with the guacamole.
- AlejandroMe parece una excelente idea.That sounds like an excellent idea to me.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
