paleta
/paˈleta/feminine
The English word "popsicle" is translated into Spanish as paleta. Wiktionary also lists helado (de agua) and polo.
Meaning: frozen juice &c. on a stick (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| paleta | /paˈleta/ | feminine |
| helado (de agua) | /eˈlado de ˈaɡwa/ (word by word) | masculine |
| polo | /ˈpolo/ | Spain, masculine |
| picolé | /pikole/ (from spelling rules) | South America, masculine |
A popsicle is a frozen treat, often made of juice, served on a stick. You can specify a fruit-juice popsicle by using the phrase paleta de agua.
Which one should you use?
While paleta refers specifically to a popsicle on a stick, helado is the general term for ice cream. You may also see helado (de agua) used to describe water-based frozen treats.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, polo is the common word for a popsicle. In many South American countries, the term picolé is used. In Chile, the term chupete is used to describe a popsicle.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of paleta is paletas.
How do you pronounce it?
/paˈleta/
Did you know?
- While paleta is used for popsicles, it can also refer to a shoulder blade in anatomical contexts.
- In Spain, the term polo for a popsicle was originally a brand name that became the generic word for the treat.
- The word picolé used in some South American regions is a loanword from Portuguese.
Examples in context
- Me gustaría disfrutar de un helado en barra durante el verano.I would like to enjoy a popsicle during the summer.
- ¡Qué calor! Voy a comprar un polo para refrescarme.It's so hot! I'm going to buy a popsicle to cool off.
- En el parque, siempre veo vendedores de paletas de sabores deliciosos.In the park, I always see vendors selling delicious flavored popsicles.
- En el verano argentino, no hay nada mejor que disfrutar de una paleta helada.In the Argentine summer, there's nothing better than enjoying a popsicle.
- Esta paleta de limón está muy fría.This lemon popsicle is very cold.
- ¿Quieres una paleta de fresa?Do you want a strawberry popsicle?
- Compré una paleta de mango para el calor.I bought a mango popsicle for the heat.
Example conversation
Javier and María are walking in a park on a hot day.
- JavierHace mucho calor hoy, María.It is very hot today, María.
- MaríaSí, ¿vamos por una paleta?Yes, shall we go get a popsicle?
- JavierBuena idea, yo quiero una de uva.Good idea, I want a grape one.
- MaríaYo prefiero una paleta de naranja.I prefer an orange popsicle.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “popsicle” translations and entries paleta, polo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (helado, de, agua) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries helado, paleta, polo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
