platos del menú
/platos del menu/from spelling rules
The English phrase "menu items" is translated into Spanish as platos del menú.
The phrase platos del menú refers to the individual dishes or drinks that are listed for sale on a restaurant's menu. When navigating a menu, you may encounter various categories and items such as plato principal (main course), acompañamientos (side dishes) or postre (dessert). Common food items include pescado (fish), pollo (chicken), carne de res (beef), cordero (lamb) and pasta. You might also see specific snacks like tapas (small dishes or snacks often served as appetizers), empanadas (savory pastry turnovers), gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp), ensaladilla rusa (Russian salad) or croquetas (breaded and fried croquettes). For beverages, common items include bebida (beverage), vino (wine), cerveza (beer), agua (water), zumo (juice), refresco (soft drink), café (coffee) and té (tea).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of platos (dishes), del (of the) and menú (menu).
How do you pronounce it?
/platos del menu/
When do people say it?
When dining, you can ask about the specials by using the phrase ¿Cuál es el plato del día? (What is the dish of the day?). To order, you can adjust your level of formality: use Me gustaría un/a… or Quisiera el/a… (I would like a/the…) and Quisiera pedir… (I would like to order…) for more formal settings, or ¿Me podría traer…? (Could you bring me…?) for polite requests. In more informal situations, you might say Me das… (Can you give me…) or Ponme… (Give me…).
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the word carta is used instead of menú to refer to the physical list of all available items. Using menú might specifically refer to the fixed-price meal of the day.
- The word menú shares a common ancestor with the English word 'minute', as both come from the Latin 'minūtus' meaning 'very small'.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, if you ask for the menú, the waiter might bring you a set three-course meal at a fixed price instead of the full list of available dishes.
Examples in context
- Me gustaría una paella de mariscosI would like a seafood paella.
- Quisiera el filete de terneraI would like the beef fillet.
- Me gustaría una copa de vino tintoI would like a glass of red wine.
- Quisiera un café con lecheI would like a latte.
- Dame una hamburguesa con papas fritasGive me a hamburger with French fries.
- Quisiera pedir el menú del díaI would like to order the daily menu.
- No me gustan todos los platos del menú.I do not like all the menu items.
- ¿Cuáles son los platos del menú más populares?Which are the most popular menu items?
- El chef cambió algunos platos del menú hoy.The chef changed some menu items today.
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are looking at a menu in a restaurant.
- LucíaMira todos estos platos del menú.Look at all these menu items.
- AlejandroHay demasiadas opciones, Lucía.There are too many options, Lucía.
- Lucía¿Qué te parece la pasta?What do you think of the pasta?
- AlejandroSuena bien, vamos a pedirla.Sounds good, let's order it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries del, menú, CC BY-SA 4.0.
