lengua de res
/lenɡwa de ɾes/from spelling rules
The English phrase "cow tongue" is translated into Spanish as lengua de res.
This phrase refers specifically to the tongue of a cow when it is being used as food.
Which one should you use?
Lengua bovina is a formal term for cow tongue.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexican Spanish, the term lengua de res is used for cow tongue, though lengua is occasionally used as a shorthand term for cow tongue. In Argentina, lengua a la vinagreta refers to a specific dish made with pickled cow tongue.
How do you pronounce it?
/lenɡwa de ɾes/
Did you know?
- The word res in lengua de res originally meant 'thing' or 'property' in Latin, rather than specifically referring to an animal.
- In some regions, the term lengua can be used as a slang term for someone who talks too much or gossips.
- The word lengua is used in Spanish to describe both the physical organ and a spoken language, whereas English uses two different words for these meanings.
Examples in context
- La lengua de res es muy suave.The cow tongue is very soft.
- ¿Me das un poco de lengua de res?Can you give me some cow tongue?
- Hoy cociné lengua de res con salsa.Today I cooked cow tongue with sauce.
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are at a traditional Mexican restaurant.
- Mateo¿Qué me recomiendas comer, Sofía?What do you recommend I eat, Sofía?
- SofíaLa lengua de res es deliciosa aquí.The cow tongue is delicious here.
- MateoPerfecto, pediré un plato de lengua de res.Perfect, I will order a dish of cow tongue.
- SofíaTe va a encantar, Mateo.You are going to love it, Mateo.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, lengua, res, CC BY-SA 4.0.
