What does it mean word for word?
The phrase manitas de cerdo literally means "little hands of pig," composed of manitas (little hands) and de cerdo (of pig).
Which one should you use?
While pies de cerdo is grammatically correct, manitas de cerdo is the much more common way to refer to the food item in a culinary context. Additionally, patitas de cerdo and piesitos de cerdo are informal variations used to refer to the same thing.
How does it change in a sentence?
Instead of using the standard word for feet (pies), the term uses the diminutive manitas (little hands) to describe this specific culinary ingredient.
How do you pronounce it?
/manitas de θeɾdo/
When do people say it?
A typical recipe for this ingredient is patas de cerdo en salsa (pig feet in sauce). The term cocido de patas de cerdo is also used to refer to various dishes made with pig feet.
Did you know?
- The word cerdo likely stems from the Latin-derived root cerda, which refers to a coarse hair or bristle. This highlights the physical characteristic of the animal that defines the word.
- Depending on the region, a speaker might replace cerdo with chancho or puerco, meaning you could see manitas de chancho on a menu in South America.
- The use of the diminutive -itas in manitas does not just indicate small size but is a common Spanish cultural trait to add affection or softness to a subject.
Examples in context
- En ese restaurante elegante, me gustaría probar las patas de cerdo al horno.In that fancy restaurant, I would like to try the roasted pig feet.
- Mi abuela cocina unas deliciosas patitas de cerdo en salsa.My grandmother cooks delicious pig feet in sauce.
- En la región de mi país, solemos utilizar el término 'manitas de cerdo' para referirnos a este platillo.In my country's region, we often use the term 'manitas de cerdo' to refer to this dish.
- ¿Compraste las manitas de cerdo para el caldo?Did you buy the pig feet for the broth?
- Prefiero las manitas de cerdo que las orejas.I prefer pig feet over pig ears.
Example conversation
A couple is deciding what to cook for dinner.
- Alejandro¿Quieres cocinar manitas de cerdo hoy, María?Do you want to cook pig feet today, María?
- MaríaSí, me encantan las manitas de cerdo.Yes, I love pig feet.
- AlejandroEntonces iré al mercado a buscarlas.Then I will go to the market to look for them.
- MaríaGracias, Alejandro, eres muy amable.Thank you, Alejandro, you are very kind.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cerdo, de, CC BY-SA 4.0.
