Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| sándwich | /ˈsandwit͡ʃ/ /ˈsanɡwit͡ʃ/ |
masculine |
| sánduche | /ˈsandut͡ʃe/ | Colombia, Ecuador, Puerto Rico, Venezuela |
| emparedado | /empaɾeˈdado/ | Caribbean, masculine |
| torta | /ˈtoɾta/ | Mexico, feminine |
| bocadillo | /bokaˈdiʝo/ | Spain, masculine |
| bocata | /boˈkata/ | Spain, masculine |
| friquitaqui | /fɾikitaki/ (from spelling rules) | Dominican Republic, masculine |
| sandwiche | /sandˈwit͡ʃe/ | masculine |
The term refers to a dish.
Which one should you use?
While sándwich is the standard form, many regions use specific local terms. In Mexico, torta refers to a sandwich, but be aware that in many other Spanish-speaking countries, torta means cake. In Spain, you might hear bocadillo or the colloquial bocata.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Emparedado is a formal way to refer to a sandwich. In Spain, bocata is an informal term used in casual speech.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Colombia, Ecuador, Puerto Rico and Venezuela, sánduche is commonly used. In Mexico, torta (typically served on a crusty roll) is the standard term. In the Caribbean, emparedado is used. In Spain, bocadillo and bocata are the preferred terms. In the Dominican Republic, friquitaqui is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of sándwich is sándwiches.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsandwitʃ/
When do people say it?
In Spain, a popular item to try is the bocadillo de calamares (squid sandwich). In Mexico, the torta ahogada (drowned sandwich) is a famous dish.
Did you know?
- The word emparedado comes from the verb emparedar, which literally means 'to wall in' or 'to enclose in a wall'.
- While sándwich was borrowed directly from English, the variation sánduche actually entered the Spanish language via Portuguese sanduíche.
- In Spain, the term bocadillo is a diminutive of bocado, which means 'a mouthful'. A sandwich is seen as a small, convenient bite.
Examples in context
- Este es mi sándwich.This is my sandwich.This sentence shows how to use sándwich to identify ownership.Tatoeba #3195875 by Shishir, translation #3135731 by Hybrid
- Hay un sándwich aquí.There's a sandwich here.This sentence demonstrates the location of a sándwich.Tatoeba #1547962 by marcelostockle, translation #880582 by CK
- Tom quiere un sándwich.Tom wants a sandwich.This sentence expresses a desire for a sándwich.Tatoeba #2620176 by teskmon, translation #2011608 by CK
- Me gustaría un bocadillo de jamón y queso, por favor.I would like a ham and cheese sandwich, please.
- ¿Podría traerme un emparedado de pollo, por favor?Could you bring me a chicken sandwich, please?
- Voy a hacerme un sándwich de atún para el almuerzo.I'm going to make myself a tuna sandwich for lunch.
- ¿Te gustaría una torta de jamón y aguacate?Would you like a ham and avocado sandwich?
- Quisiera un bocadillo de pavo y queso, por favor.I would like a turkey and cheese sandwich, please.
- Me encanta la torta de pollo con aguacate.I love the chicken and avocado torta.
- ¿Podrías hacerme un sándwich vegetariano?Could you make me a vegetarian sandwich?
- Gracias por preparar este delicioso emparedado.Thank you for preparing this delicious sandwich.
- 55 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are deciding what to eat for lunch.
- Sofía¿Tienes hambre, Javier?Are you hungry, Javier?
- JavierSí, ¿podemos comer un sándwich?Yes, can we eat a sandwich?
- SofíaClaro, yo preparo el sándwich.Of course, I will prepare the sandwich.
- JavierGracias, Sofía, eres muy amable.Thanks, Sofia, you are very kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sandwich” translations and entries sándwich, sánduche, emparedado, torta, bocadillo, bocata, sandwiche, 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.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries emparedado, sánduche, sándwich, torta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
