canchita
everyday, Peru
In Peru popcorn is often called canchita, the diminutive of cancha. Palomitas de maíz is the standard Spanish phrase and is understood everywhere.
Meaning: popped corn snack (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| canchita | everyday, Peru |
| palomitas de maíz | standard, understood |
At the cinema you ask for canchita dulce or canchita salada for sweet or salted popcorn.
Which one should you use?
Cancha without the diminutive is toasted corn kernels served with ceviche, so the endings help separate the two snacks.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Mexico and Spain say palomitas, while Argentina says pochoclo.
Did you know?
- Mexican palomitas means literally "little doves", an image of the kernels bursting open.
Examples in context
- ¿Quieres canchita en el cine?Do you want popcorn at the cinema?
- Una canchita salada, por favor.A salted popcorn, please.
Example conversation
Marco and his friend Lucía buy snacks at a cinema in Lima.
- MarcoUna canchita grande, por favor.A large popcorn, please.
- LucíaCon sal para mí.With salt for me.
- MarcoY dos gaseosas.And two sodas.
