cordero
standard, Chile
In Chile "lamb" is cordero, the same word used across the Spanish-speaking world, for both the animal and the meat. A baby lamb can be called corderito. It is also called carne de cordero.
Meaning: young sheep or its meat (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| cordero | standard, Chile |
| corderito | diminutive, affectionate |
| carne de cordero | meat |
On a menu or at the butcher you will see cordero or carne de cordero. For the animal, un cordero is a young sheep and una oveja is the adult female.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Chilean Patagonia is known for lamb roasted whole over an open fire, usually called cordero al palo.
How does it change in a sentence?
Cordero is masculine. The feminine cordera exists but most people just say cordero for any lamb.
Did you know?
- Cordero al palo is a classic of southern Chile and Argentine Patagonia, where the lamb is cooked slowly beside a fire.
Examples in context
- Hoy comimos cordero al horno.Today we ate roast lamb.
- El corderito sigue a su mamá.The little lamb follows its mother.
- Quiero un kilo de carne de cordero.I want a kilo of lamb meat.
Example conversation
Sofía and her father Rodrigo are at a butcher shop in Punta Arenas, where the Carnicero serves them.
- RodrigoBuenas tardes. ¿Tiene cordero?Good afternoon. Do you have lamb?
- CarniceroSí, tengo cordero fresco de hoy.Yes, I have fresh lamb from today.
- SofíaPapá, ¿hacemos cordero al palo el domingo?Dad, shall we make spit-roasted lamb on Sunday?
- RodrigoClaro, llevemos dos kilos.Sure, let us take two kilos.
