popote
/poˈpote/
The Spanish word popote means a drinking straw.
A popote refers to a plastic tube used for sucking liquid out of a glass or container.
Which one should you use?
Depending on the region, other words are used for a drinking straw: in Spain, people typically use pajita, while in Colombia or Venezuela, the term pitillo is more common.
Is it said differently in some regions?
popote is the standard term for a drinking straw in Mexico.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of popote is popotes.
How do you pronounce it?
/poˈpote/
Did you know?
- The word popote traces its roots back to the Classical Nahuatl word popōtl, which originally referred to a plant used to make brooms or actual dried straw.
- While popote refers to a drinking straw in Mexico, the word pitillo used in Colombia and Venezuela also means 'small pipe' or 'cigarette' in other contexts.
- While it is a common household item, the word popote is now frequently seen on official government signage in Mexico to announce bans on single-use plastics.
Examples in context
- Pásame un pitillo para beber mi refresco.Pass me a 'pitillo' to drink my soda.
- ¿Me puedes dar un popote, por favor?Can you give me a straw, please?
- El popote se rompió al beber el jugo.The straw broke while drinking the juice.
- No uses un popote de plástico para la bebida.Don't use a plastic straw for the drink.
Example conversation
A cafe where María is trying to drink a milkshake.
- MaríaAlejandro, ¿tienes un popote extra?Alejandro, do you have an extra straw?
- AlejandroSí, busca en la bolsa de servilletas.Yes, look in the napkin bag.
- MaríaGracias, este popote es muy largo.Thanks, this straw is very long.
- AlejandroEs perfecto para ese vaso grande.It is perfect for that large glass.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry popote, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries popote, CC BY-SA 4.0.
