a tres cuartos
/a tɾes kwaɾtos/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'medium well cooked' is translated into Spanish as a tres cuartos.
This phrase is used to describe meat that is cooked through but still has a slight hint of pink in the center.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means 'three quarters,' referring to the degree of doneness.
Which one should you use?
Use término medio for medium and a tres cuartos for medium-well.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, the phrase 3/4 de cocción can be used to express medium well cooked.
How do you pronounce it?
/a tɾes kwaɾtos/
Did you know?
- In high-end restaurants in Spain, the waiter may use the term al punto as a general category for medium and medium-well, requiring the customer to specify further if they want it a tres cuartos.
- Unlike English which describes meat by its state, Spanish often treats doneness as a fraction of a completed process.
- The Spanish word cocción used in phrases like 3/4 de cocción comes from the Latin word 'coquere', which is the same root that gave English the word 'cook'.
Examples in context
- Quiero la carne a tres cuartos, por favor.I want the meat medium well, please.
- Prefiero el filete a tres cuartos.I prefer the steak medium well cooked.
- La carne está a tres cuartos, perfecta.The meat is medium well cooked, perfect.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are ordering dinner at a restaurant.
- Alejandro¿Cómo quiere la carne, señor?How would you like the meat, sir?
- MaríaLa quiero a tres cuartos, por favor.I want it medium well, please.
- Alejandro¿Y para usted, señora?And for you, ma'am?
- MaríaYo la prefiero muy bien cocida.I prefer mine well done.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
