Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| menú | /meˈnu/ | masculine |
| carta | /ˈkaɾta/ | feminine |
The term refers to a list of dishes offered in a restaurant. In many Spanish-speaking countries, menú specifically implies a set meal where a fixed number of courses is provided for a set price. A common variation is menú del día, which refers to a specific, fixed-price multi-course meal offered by restaurants during lunch. This is a very common way to eat in Spain and Latin America.
Which one should you use?
While menú often implies a specific set meal, carta is the more common term for the physical book or the full list of all available items in a restaurant where you can order individual items.
Is it said differently in some regions?
carta is used in Spain and many Latin American countries.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of menú is menús.
How do you pronounce it?
/meˈnu/
When do people say it?
When eating, you might hear the phrase ¡Buen provecho!, which means 'Enjoy your meal!'
Did you know?
- The word menú entered the Spanish language as a loanword from French rather than directly from Latin.
- While carta refers to the full list of food, the word carta is also used in Spanish to mean a 'letter' sent by mail.
- In many Spanish restaurants, the menú del día is not just a deal but a cultural ritual that dictates the pace of the workday lunch hour.
Examples in context
- ¿Qué menú es hoy?What's today's menu?This sentence is useful for asking about the current day's set meal using menú.Tatoeba #656142 by MondCivitano, translation #703099 by papabear
- Tom ojeó el menú.Tom looked at the menu.This sentence shows how to describe someone looking at the menú.Tatoeba #5234303 by albrusgher, translation #3122131 by CK
- Déjame ver el menú.Let me see a menu.This sentence is a way to request to see the menú.Tatoeba #5234298 by albrusgher, translation #31786 by CK
- ¿Podría traerme la carta, por favor?Could you bring me the menu, please?
- Me gustaría ver el menú, por favor.I would like to see the menu, please.
- Quisiera pedir el menú del día, por favor.I would like to order the daily menu, please.
- La carta de postres luce deliciosa.The dessert menu looks delicious.
- Oye, ¿me pasas la lista de bebidas?Hey, can you pass me the drinks menu?
- Perdón, ¿me puede traer la carta de vinos?Excuse me, could you bring me the wine menu?
- 61 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are sitting at a restaurant table.
- MaríaAlejandro, ¿ya tienes el menú?Alejandro, do you have the menu already?
- AlejandroNo, todavía no nos lo han traído.No, they haven't brought it to us yet.
- MaríaVoy a pedir el menú ahora.I am going to ask for the menu now.
- AlejandroEstá bien, gracias, María.That is fine, thank you, María.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “menu” translations and entries menú, carta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries carta, menú, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
