filete poco hecho
/filete poko et͡ʃo/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'rare steak' is translated into Spanish as filete poco hecho.
This phrase refers to a steak that is cooked for a short time, which leaves the center red and juicy. If you are ordering a specific cut of meat like tenderloin, you can replace filete with solomillo to say solomillo poco hecho.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase poco hecho literally means 'little done' or 'barely cooked'.
Which one should you use?
To specify a very rare steak, you can use filete muy poco hecho, where adding muy (very) emphasizes that the meat should be even more rare than the standard poco hecho. If you prefer a medium steak instead of a rare one, the standard way to request this is filete al punto.
Did you know?
- Even though filete refers to a steak, the word's origin is actually a French term for a 'thread' or 'filament', describing the long, thin shape of the meat.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, requesting meat poco hecho may result in a steak that is closer to 'medium-rare' than the American definition of 'rare'.
Examples in context
- Quiero mi filete poco hecho, por favor.I want my steak rare, please.
- El filete poco hecho es mi favorito.Rare steak is my favorite.
- ¿Prefieres el filete poco hecho o bien cocido?Do you prefer your steak rare or well done?
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are ordering dinner at a restaurant.
- ElenaMateo, ¿cómo quieres tu carne?Mateo, how do you want your meat?
- MateoPrefiero un filete poco hecho.I prefer a rare steak.
- ElenaYo lo quiero a punto.I want mine medium.
- MateoPerfecto, pidamos eso ahora.Perfect, let's order that now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries filete, hecho, poco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
