menudo
/meˈnudo/
menudo is the Spanish word for a traditional Mexican soup made with tripe and hominy.
The term menudo is used specifically to describe this particular Mexican dish. It refers to a hearty soup characterized by the use of tripe and hominy.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the term used is menudo. However, in some Caribbean countries, such as Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, this dish is referred to as mondongo.
How do you pronounce it?
/meˈnudo/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking contexts, calling something 'menudo' can be a way to emphasize its scale, such as saying '¡Menudo problema!' to mean 'What a huge problem!'
- In Mexico, menudo is culturally regarded as a 'cure' for hangovers. It is most commonly served and eaten on Sunday mornings after Saturday night celebrations.
- The word menudo shares a linguistic root with the English word 'minute', which can refer to a very small amount of time or something tiny.
Examples in context
- Una porción de menudo, por favorOne portion of menudo, please
- ¡Tienes que probar el menudo! Es delicioso y muy popularYou should try menudo! It's delicious and very popular
- Me gusta mucho el menudo.I like menudo very much.
- El menudo está muy picante.The menudo is very spicy.
- ¿Quieres un poco de menudo?Do you want some menudo?
Example conversation
At a local Mexican restaurant in the morning.
- DanielMaría, ¿vamos a comer menudo?María, shall we go eat menudo?
- MaríaSí, Daniel, tengo mucha hambre.Yes, Daniel, I am very hungry.
- DanielEste menudo de aquí es excelente.The menudo here is excellent.
- MaríaEs verdad, es mi favorito.It is true, it is my favorite.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry menudo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries menudo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
