cacahuates
everyday, Mexico
In Mexico peanuts are cacahuates. The word comes from Nahuatl. Many Spanish speakers in South America and the Caribbean say maní, but in Mexico it is almost always cacahuate.
Meaning: edible legume seeds (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| cacahuates | everyday, Mexico |
| maní | other countries |
Street vendors sell cacahuates japoneses, coated peanuts, and cacahuates garapiñados, sugar coated ones. Peanut butter is crema de cacahuate.
Which one should you use?
Maní is understood in Mexico but sounds foreign. Use cacahuate in shops and restaurants.
How does it change in a sentence?
Cacahuate is masculine: el cacahuate. The plural is cacahuates.
Did you know?
- The English word "cocoa" and the Mexican cacahuate both come from Nahuatl, but they are unrelated plants.
Examples in context
- Quiero una bolsa de cacahuates.I want a bag of peanuts.
- Soy alérgico a los cacahuates.I am allergic to peanuts.
- Me gusta la crema de cacahuate.I like peanut butter.
Example conversation
Marco buys a snack at a stand in Mexico City.
- MarcoUna bolsa de cacahuates, por favor.A bag of peanuts, please.
- Vendedor¿Japoneses o salados?Coated or salted?
- MarcoSalados, gracias.Salted, thanks.
