tamales de puerco
/tamales de pweɾko/from spelling rules
The English phrase "pork tamales" is translated into Spanish as tamales de puerco.
This phrase refers to a traditional dish consisting of corn dough that is steamed in a husk or leaf and filled with seasoned pork.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from tamales (tamales) and de puerco (of pork).
Which one should you use?
While tamales de puerco is common, you may frequently see the alternative tamales de cerdo, which uses the word for pig, cerdo.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain South American countries like Peru, or in parts of Central America, you may hear the regional variation tamales de chancho.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to a single tamale rather than the plural, use the singular form tamal de puerco.
How do you pronounce it?
/tamales de pweɾko/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking urban slang, the word puerco can be used to refer to a 'police officer', a term borrowed conceptually from the English slang 'pig'.
- The word tamal is derived from the Nahuatl word tamalli, meaning 'wrapped'.
- In Mexico, tamales are traditionally eaten with atole, a thick corn-based drink, to create a complete breakfast pairing.
Examples in context
- Hola, ¿me podría traer unos tamales de cochinita, por favor? Muchas gracias.Hello, could you bring me some pork tamales, please? Thank you very much.
- Me gustan mucho los tamales de puerco.I really like pork tamales.
- Compré tamales de puerco para la cena.I bought pork tamales for dinner.
- ¿Quieres probar estos tamales de puerco?Do you want to try these pork tamales?
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are deciding what to eat for lunch.
- Lucía¿Tienes hambre, Javier?Are you hungry, Javier?
- JavierSí, ¿qué vamos a comer?Yes, what are we going to eat?
- LucíaPodemos comer tamales de puerco.We can eat pork tamales.
- Javier¡Esa es una excelente idea!That is an excellent idea!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, puerco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
