Pollo
everyday, Argentina
Pollo means chicken in Argentina too, but you say it the Rioplatense way, with the double L as a "sh" sound: roughly "PO-sho". In shops the cuts are pechuga (breast) and pata muslo (drumstick and thigh).
Meaning: chicken (the bird and its meat) (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| Pollo | everyday, Argentina |
| Pata muslo | cut, Argentina |
| Pechuga | cut |
Ask for medio pollo for half a chicken or un pollo entero for a whole one. A grilled chicken from a rotisserie place is pollo al spiedo.
How do you pronounce it?
In Buenos Aires and much of Argentina the ll is pronounced like the "s" in "measure" or like "sh", so pollo sounds like "PO-zho" or "PO-sho". In most of Latin America it sounds like a "y".
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not say the ll as "l" like in English "pollen". Both letters make one sound, and in Argentina it is the "sh" one.
Did you know?
- The "sh" pronunciation of ll and y in Argentina is called rehilamiento and is one of the quickest ways to recognize an Argentine accent.
Examples in context
- Quiero medio pollo con papas.I want half a chicken with fries.
- ¿Me das dos pechugas de pollo?Can you give me two chicken breasts?
- El pollo al spiedo está listo.The spit-roasted chicken is ready.
Example conversation
Nicolás orders dinner at a rotisserie shop in Córdoba, Argentina.
- NicolásBuenas noches, ¿tienen pollo?Good evening, do you have chicken?
- VendedoraSí, recién salido. ¿Entero o medio?Yes, fresh out. Whole or half?
- NicolásMedio pollo, por favor.Half a chicken, please.
