Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| panqueque | /panˈkeke/ | Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay, masculine |
| hot cake | /ot kake/ (from spelling rules) | Mexico, masculine |
| pancake | /pankake/ (from spelling rules) | Costa Rica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, masculine |
| panqueca | /panˈkeka/ | Venezuela, feminine |
| tortita | /toɾˈtita/ | Spain, feminine |
| hojuela | /oˈxwela/ | feminine |
The term refers to a thin batter cake. Depending on the region, this can describe an American-style thick pancake or a thin, crepe-like pancake.
What does it mean word for word?
panqueque is a phonetic adaptation of the English word 'pancake'.
Which one should you use?
In some contexts, panqueque can refer to a thin crepe-like pancake, though it is also used for the thicker American style. Other regional variations exist such as hot cake, pancake, panqueca, tortita and hojuela.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The word you use depends heavily on where you are: panqueque is used in Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru and Uruguay. In Mexico, you might see hot cake used in commercial settings or on menus, while pancake is also used in Costa Rica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and Puerto Rico. In Venezuela, the common term is panqueca. In Spain, tortita is used, which is a diminutive form of torta used for small or thin pancakes. Finally, hojuela is another feminine form.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of panqueque is panqueques.
How do you pronounce it?
/panˈkeke/
Did you know?
- The ancestor of the word 'cake' in panqueque is the Old Norse kaka, showing that the Spanish term is indirectly linked to Viking-age languages.
- The term hojuela comes from the word hoja, meaning 'leaf'. This describes the pancake's thin, leaf-like appearance rather than its ingredients.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, tortita can refer to a savory corn-based pancake, which differs fundamentally from the sweet batter of a panqueque.
Examples in context
- La última vez que quedé con mis amigos de universidad Steve y Glen, ambos cantoneses, fue en una panquequería, hace unos años.The last time that I met my university buddies Steve and Glen, both Cantonese, was in a pancake house, some years ago.This sentence shows how to use panqueque when talking about a pancake house.Tatoeba #13645015 by mervert1, translation #10647516 by nonong
- Me encantan los hotcakes con miel y frutas.I love pancakes with honey and fruits.
- En España, disfrutan de tortitas con azúcar y limón.In Spain, they enjoy small pancakes with sugar and lemon.
- ¿Te gustaría comer unos crepes con nutella?Would you like to eat some pancakes with Nutella?
- Me gusta comer un panqueque con miel.I like to eat a pancake with honey.
- El chef preparó un panqueque delicioso.The chef prepared a delicious pancake.
Example conversation
Mateo and María are having breakfast at home.
- Mateo¿Quieres un panqueque para el desayuno?Do you want a pancake for breakfast?
- MaríaSí, por favor, Mateo.Yes, please, Mateo.
- MateoVoy a cocinar uno ahora mismo.I am going to cook one right now.
- MaríaGracias, eres muy amable.Thank you, you are very kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pancake” translations and entries panqueque, panqueca, tortita, hojuela, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cake, panqueque, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
