estirar la masa
/estiɾaɾ la masa/from spelling rules
The phrase "roll the dough" in Spanish is estirar la masa.
This phrase is used when you want to describe the action of flattening dough to make it thin. If you want to specifically mention the tool used for this task, a rolling pin is called a rodillo.
Which one should you use?
You might also use extender la masa. This alternative is common when the focus is specifically on spreading or flattening the dough out to cover a surface.
How do you pronounce it?
/estiɾaɾ la masa/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, traditional tortillas are 'rolled' by hand using a tortilladora or palms, making the use of a rodillo rare for that specific dough.
- While estirar means 'to roll' in a kitchen context, it is also the standard word for 'stretching' a rubber band or 'stretching' one's muscles.
- The word masa shares a common ancestor with the Ancient Greek word mâza, which refers to a type of barley meal or bread dough.
Examples in context
- Necesitas estirar la masa con el rodillo.You need to roll the dough with the rolling pin.
- ¿Puedes estirar la masa para la pizza?Can you roll the dough for the pizza?
- Primero hay que estirar la masa muy finamente.First, you have to roll the dough very thinly.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are baking cookies together in the kitchen.
- ElenaMateo, ya puedes estirar la masa.Mateo, you can roll the dough now.
- MateoEstá bien, ¿uso este rodillo?Alright, do I use this rolling pin?
- ElenaSí, así es más fácil estirar la masa.Yes, it's easier to roll the dough that way.
- MateoListo, ya quedó perfecta.Done, it's perfect now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries estirar, la, masa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
