quiero una merienda
/kjeɾo una meɾjenda/from spelling rules
To say "I want a snack" in Spanish, use quiero una merienda.
The phrase is used to request a light meal eaten between main meals. While una merienda can mean any light snack, it specifically refers to a light meal or snack typically eaten in the late afternoon. You can also use the verb merendar to express the desire to have a snack.
Which one should you use?
The term merienda implies a scheduled light meal, often in the afternoon, whereas un tentempié is a more general term for a quick snack or something to tide you over.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the phrase Me apetece un tentempié. is used to mean I feel like having a snack. In Argentina, the informal phrase Me pinta un snack. means I feel like having a snack.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase quiero una merienda, the verb quiero is the first-person singular present indicative of querer (to want).
How do you pronounce it?
/kjeɾo una meɾjenda/
Did you know?
- The word tentempié literally means 'stop-foot', evoking the image of a snack that gives you the energy to keep standing.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the merienda is so filling that it delays the main dinner until 10 p.m. or later.
- The word merienda is a linguistic relative of the Italian and Portuguese words for a snack, all descending from the Latin merenda.
Examples in context
- ¿Podría traerme algo para picar, como unas papas fritas, por favor?Could you bring me something to nibble on, like some potato chips, please?
- Quiero alimentos para picar.I want food to snack on.
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are in the kitchen.
- JavierSofía, quiero una merienda.Sofía, I want a snack.
- SofíaYo también, Javier.Me too, Javier.
- Javier¿Tenemos fruta en la cocina?Do we have fruit in the kitchen?
- SofíaSí, hay manzanas rojas.Yes, there are red apples.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries merienda, una, CC BY-SA 4.0.
