medialunas
/medjalunas/from spelling rules
Crescent rolls in Spanish is medialunas.
The term refers to small, crescent-shaped sweet breads often eaten for breakfast. While many regions might use the word croissants to describe similar shapes, in many Spanish-speaking countries, medialunas specifically refers to a sweet, brioche-like pastry.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of media (half) and lunas (moons), literally meaning 'half moons'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Rioplatense region of Argentina and Uruguay, medialunas is the standard term. In Venezuela, an informal term for these rolls is cachitos. Additionally, in Argentina and Uruguay, the term facturas is used to refer to a variety of pastries, including crescent rolls.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form is medialuna, used when referring to a single pastry.
How do you pronounce it?
/medjalunas/
Did you know?
- While facturas refers to pastries, the word shares the same root as the Spanish word for 'invoice' or 'bill'.
- The Venezuelan cachitos are a savory variation of the crescent roll, typically filled with a seasoned ham mixture rather than being a sweet pastry.
- In Argentina and Uruguay, you can order medialunas de grasa made with lard or medialunas de manteca made with butter. The former are typically saltier and more traditional, while the latter are sweeter.
Examples in context
- Me gustaría pedir panecillos en forma de media luna para el desayuno, por favor.I would like to order crescent rolls for breakfast, please.
- ¿Me pasas un par de croissants, por favor?Can you pass me a couple of crescent rolls, please?
- Voy a la panadería a comprar unos cachitos para la merienda.I'm going to the bakery to buy some crescent rolls for an afternoon snack.
- Me encantan las medialunas con café.I love crescent rolls with coffee.
- ¿Compraste medialunas para el desayuno?Did you buy crescent rolls for breakfast?
- Las medialunas de esta panadería son riquísimas.The crescent rolls from this bakery are delicious.
Example conversation
Javier and María are at a cafe in the morning.
- JavierMaría, ¿querés comer unas medialunas?María, do you want to eat some crescent rolls?
- MaríaSí, Javier, me parece una excelente idea.Yes, Javier, I think that's an excellent idea.
- JavierPedí un café para cada uno.I'll order a coffee for each of us.
- MaríaPerfecto, yo voy a buscar las servilletas.Perfect, I am going to get the napkins.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
