Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| maíz | /maˈiθ/ /maˈis/ |
masculine |
| elote | /eˈlote/ | Central America, Mexico, masculine |
| choclo | /ˈt͡ʃoklo/ | Central America, South, masculine |
| millo | /ˈmiʝo/ | Canary Islands, masculine |
| jojoto | /xoˈxoto/ | Colombia, Venezuela, masculine |
| panizo | /paˈniθo/ /paˈniso/ |
masculine |
| pishinga | /pisinɡa/ (from spelling rules) | Argentina, feminine |
| pisingallo | /pisinɡaʝo/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| gransa | /ɡɾansa/ (from spelling rules) | Peru, feminine |
| chócolo | /t͡ʃokolo/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| avatí | /abati/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
The term maíz refers generally to the grain of the species Zea mays. Depending on the context, such as whether the corn is fresh, on the cob or cooked, different words are used.
Which one should you use?
While maíz is the general term for the grain, elote is often used specifically to refer to corn on the cob. In other contexts, choclo is used to describe cooked or boiled fresh corn.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Spanish uses many different words for maize depending on the location. In Mexico and Central America, you will hear elote. In Central America and parts of South America, choclo is common. In many South American countries like Peru, Chile and Argentina, choclo is the standard term. In the Canary Islands, millo is used. In Colombia and Venezuela, the word jojoto is used. In Argentina, one might hear pisingallo or the feminine form pishinga. In Peru, gransa is used. Other specific terms include panizo and avatí.
How does it change in a sentence?
Most forms of this word are masculine, such as maíz, elote, choclo, millo, jojoto, panizo, pisingallo, chócolo and avatí. However, there are feminine forms, specifically pishinga and gransa.
How do you pronounce it?
/maˈiθ/
Did you know?
- The word maíz entered the Spanish language through the Taíno people of the Caribbean islands rather than from the indigenous languages of the mainland.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, calling a piece of corn maíz when it is still on the cob can sound unnatural, as locals prefer terms like elote or choclo for the fresh vegetable.
Examples in context
- Pongan fin al monocultivo de maíz, y restablezcan el cultivo combinado, para combatir la pérdida de paisajes y la diversidad de terrenos.Stop maize monoculture, and reestablish multiple cropping, to combat the loss of landscape and soil diversity.This sentence is useful for discussing the environmental impact of maíz monoculture.Tatoeba #1890562 by teskmon, translation #430068 by witbrock
- El maíz es un elemento clave en la alimentación de muchas culturas latinoamericanasMaize is a key element in the diet of many Latin American cultures
- Me encanta el elote asado con mantequillaI love grilled corn on the cob with butter
- El maíz es la base de su dieta.Maize is the basis of their diet.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are shopping at a local market.
- AlejandroMira, este maíz se ve muy fresco.Look, this corn looks very fresh.
- MaríaTienes razón, Alejandro. Vamos a comprarlo.You are right, Alejandro. Let's buy it.
- Alejandro¿Prefieres el maíz amarillo o el blanco?Do you prefer yellow or white maize?
- MaríaPrefiero el maíz amarillo para cocinar.I prefer yellow corn for cooking.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “maize” translations and entries maíz, elote, choclo, millo, jojoto, panizo, chócolo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries choclo, elote, maíz, millo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
