cubiertos
neutral, Mexico
In Mexico "silverware" is cubiertos. It covers the fork, knife and spoon, called tenedor, cuchillo and cuchara. It is also called cuchara, tenedor y cuchillo.
Meaning: forks, knives and spoons (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| cubiertos | neutral, Mexico |
| cuchara, tenedor y cuchillo | phrase |
You ask for them with ¿me trae los cubiertos? and set the table with poner los cubiertos. A single place setting is un cubierto.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Cubiertos is the general word in Mexico even when the pieces are steel and not silver. People do not usually say plata for them.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word is masculine and nearly always plural: los cubiertos limpios.
Did you know?
- Spanish has separate names for each piece, such as cucharita for a teaspoon, and cubiertos is the umbrella word.
Examples in context
- Falta poner los cubiertos.We still need to set out the silverware.
- ¿Me trae un cubierto más?Could you bring one more place setting?
- Lavé los cubiertos.I washed the silverware.
Example conversation
Carlos and his mother Silvia prepare lunch in their kitchen in Mérida.
- SilviaCarlos, pon los cubiertos en la mesa.Carlos, put the silverware on the table.
- Carlos¿Cuántos pongo?How many do I put?
- SilviaCinco. Viene tu tía.Five. Your aunt is coming.
