carne bien cocida
/kaɾne bjen koθida/from spelling rules
In Spanish, meat well done is expressed as carne bien cocida.
This phrase is used to describe meat that has been cooked thoroughly until it is brown throughout. When ordering, you can use the phrase as a modifier for the noun, such as Quiero la carne bien cocida (I want the meat well done).
What does it mean word for word?
The part bien cocida literally translates to 'well cooked'.
Which one should you use?
If you do not want the meat well done, you would ask for término medio (medium).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, carne bien cocida can be used to indicate well-done meat. In Mexico, carne bien asada or carne bien dorada can imply a well-cooked piece of meat.
Did you know?
- The Spanish word carne shares the same ancient root as the English word 'carnival', which originally referred to a 'farewell to meat' before the fasting period of Lent.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, if you cook a steak too far beyond bien cocida, it is described as está pasada, meaning it has passed the point of being edible.
- While bien cocida describes how the meat is cooked, the adjective cocida can also mean 'boiled' in many Spanish-speaking contexts.
Examples in context
- Cuando me traigan la carne, ¿podría asegurarse de que esté bien cocida?Could you make sure the meat is well done when you bring it to me?
- Preferiría tener la carne bien pasada, completamente cocinada por favor.I would prefer to have the meat well done, completely cooked, please.
- Prefiero la carne bien cocida.I prefer my meat well done.
- Ella pidió su carne bien cocida.She ordered her meat well done.
- La carne bien cocida es más dura.Well done meat is tougher.
Example conversation
Ordering dinner at a restaurant.
- MaríaMateo, ¿cómo quieres tu filete?Mateo, how do you want your steak?
- MateoQuiero la carne bien cocida, María.I want the meat well done, María.
- MaríaEntendido, lo pediré así al camarero.Got it, I will order it that way from the waiter.
- MateoGracias, así es como más me gusta.Thanks, that is how I like it best.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
