What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation of 'hot dogs', where perros means 'dogs' and calientes means 'hot'.
Which one should you use?
While perros calientes is the standard term, you may encounter different words depending on the local context and social setting.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
You can use the playful and informal term perritos calientes for a more casual tone. In many parts of Latin America, such as Argentina and Uruguay, the informal word panchos is used instead of perros calientes. In Chile, the informal term completo is often used to refer to a hot dog, particularly when it is served with various toppings.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, people typically refer to them using the English term hot dogs. In Spain, they are often known as perritos calientes.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to a single hot dog, change the plural noun and adjective to their singular forms: perro caliente.
When do people say it?
Condiments vary by country. For example, a famous Colombian hot dog condiment is salsa de piña, while in Argentina, salsa golf is a common condiment consisting of a blend of ketchup and mayo.
Did you know?
- While perros calientes is the standard translation, the term panchos in Argentina is thought to come from the German word frankfurter.
- If you order a completo in Chile, you are not just ordering a hot dog, but a specific style heavily loaded with avocado, mayonnaise, and tomato.
- While many Spanish speakers use the diminutive perritos calientes to sound more endearing, the word perrito is also the common way to call a small dog a 'puppy'.
Examples in context
- Perros calientes, nueces y semillas, trozos de carne o queso, uvas enteras, caramelos pegajosos o pegajosos, palomitas de maíz, trozos de mantequilla de maní, verduras crudas, pasas, goma de mascar y malvaviscos son peligros conocidos de asfixia para los niños.Hot dogs, nuts and seeds, chunks of meat or cheese, whole grapes, hard/gooey or sticky candy, popcorn, chunks of peanut butter, raw vegetables, raisins, chewing gum, and marshmallows are known choking hazards for children.This sentence is useful for listing various food items that are known choking hazards for children, including perros calientes.Tatoeba #6582609 by Eccles17, translation #6582607 by Eccles17
- Disculpe, me gustaría un perro caliente con ketchup y mostaza, por favor.Excuse me, I would like a hot dog with ketchup and mustard, please.
- ¿Me podría dar un hot dog con salsa de piña, por favor?Could I get a hot dog with pineapple sauce, please?
- Me encantan los perros calientes con mucha mostaza.I love hot dogs with lots of mustard.
- ¿Quieres comprar perros calientes en el festival?Do you want to buy hot dogs at the festival?
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are deciding what to eat at a street fair.
- LucíaTengo mucha hambre, Alejandro.I am very hungry, Alejandro.
- AlejandroPodemos comer unos perros calientes de ese puesto.We can eat some hot dogs from that stand.
- Lucía¡Buena idea! Me parecen deliciosos.Good idea! They look delicious to me.
- AlejandroVamos entonces.Let's go then.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
