cuy
Peru, Andes
A guinea pig in Peru is a cuy, plural cuyes. The word comes from Quechua and is used for both the pet and the traditional Andean dish. It is also called cuy chactado.
Meaning: guinea pig (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| cuy | Peru, Andes |
| cuyes | plural |
| cuy chactado | dish |
Say un cuy for one animal and dos cuyes for two. In a restaurant cuy chactado is a fried, flattened guinea pig, and cuy al horno is roasted.
When do people say it?
The animal has been raised in the Andes for a very long time, and the dish is served for special occasions, especially in Cusco and Arequipa.
Did you know?
- A famous painting of the Last Supper in Cusco Cathedral shows a roasted cuy on the table.
Examples in context
- Mi hermano tiene un cuy de mascota.My brother has a guinea pig as a pet.
- Pedimos un cuy chactado.We ordered a fried guinea pig.
Example conversation
Tourist Daniel asks the waitress Marisol about the menu in a restaurant in Cusco.
- DanielDisculpe, ¿qué es el cuy chactado?Excuse me, what is cuy chactado?
- MarisolEs cuy frito, un plato típico de la sierra.It is fried guinea pig, a typical dish of the highlands.
- DanielEntonces voy a probarlo.Then I will try it.
