pollo
neutral, Mexico
The Spanish word pollo means "chicken" in Mexican Spanish, so no other word is needed. It names the meat and the young bird. It is masculine, so you say el pollo and un pollo.
Common dishes include pollo asado for roast or grilled chicken and pollo rostizado for rotisserie chicken. A hen is gallina and a rooster is gallo.
Meaning: chicken meat or young chicken (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The double ll sounds like the "y" in "yes" in most of Mexico, so pollo comes out as PO-yo.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Pollo is not used for a live adult hen, which is gallina. It is the word for the meat or for a chick or young chicken.
Did you know?
- Pollo rostizado stands, with chickens turning on spits, are a common sight on Mexican streets.
Examples in context
- Quiero pollo con mole.I want chicken with mole.
- Compré un pollo rostizado.I bought a rotisserie chicken.
- Hoy hay tacos de pollo.Today there are chicken tacos.
Example conversation
Pilar and her friend Gabo choose food at a rotisserie stand in Toluca.
- PilarBuenas tardes, ¿cuánto cuesta el pollo?Good afternoon, how much is the chicken?
- VendedorCiento veinte el entero.A hundred and twenty for a whole one.
- GaboLlevemos uno con tortillas.Let's take one with tortillas.
