carne magra de res
/kaɾne maɡɾa de ɾes/from spelling rules
The English phrase "lean beef" is translated into Spanish as carne magra de res.
This phrase is used to describe beef that has a low amount of fat. You can also use the phrase carne sin grasa to specifically mean "fat-free beef".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of carne (meat), magra (lean) and de res (of beef/cattle).
Which one should you use?
While carne magra de res is the standard way to specify lean beef, you can use carne magra to refer to any lean meat if the specific type of animal is already understood in context. Note that carne magra is the direct opposite of carne grasa, which refers to meat with a high fat content.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, it is more common to use carne magra de vaca instead of carne magra de res to specify beef.
How does it change in a sentence?
In many contexts, you can omit de res if the type of meat is already understood, simply saying carne magra.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaɾne maɡɾa de ɾes/
Did you know?
- The word res comes from the Latin word for 'thing' or 'property', as cattle were once seen as the primary form of wealth.
- In Spanish, the term carne is used both for the 'meat' you buy at a butcher and the 'flesh' of a human body.
- The word carne shares a common ancient ancestor with the English word 'carnal', which describes physical or bodily needs.
Examples in context
- Me gustaría comprar un poco de carne magra para la cena.I would like to buy some lean beef for dinner.
- Prefiero la carne de vacuno magra porque tiene menos grasa.I prefer lean beef because it has less fat.
- Mi madre cocina la carne sin grasa para hacer hamburguesas saludables.My mother cooks fat-free beef to make healthy hamburgers.
- Vamos a hacer tacos con carne magra de res esta noche.We're going to make tacos with lean beef tonight.
- Necesito comprar carne magra de res.I need to buy lean beef.
- Esta receta utiliza carne magra de res.This recipe uses lean beef.
- La carne magra de res es buena para la dieta.Lean beef is good for the diet.
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are shopping at a butcher shop.
- SofíaHola, necesito un kilo de carne magra de res.Hello, I need a kilo of lean beef.
- AlejandroClaro, Sofía, ¿la quiere cortada en cubos?Sure, Sofía, do you want it cut into cubes?
- SofíaSí, por favor, Alejandro.Yes, please, Alejandro.
- AlejandroAquí tiene su pedido.Here is your order.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries carne, de, res, CC BY-SA 4.0.
