Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| brocheta | /bɾoˈt͡ʃeta/ | feminine |
| pincho | /ˈpint͡ʃo/ | |
| fierrito | /fjeˈrito/ | masculine |
| anticucho | /antiˈkut͡ʃo/ | masculine |
| broqueta | /bɾoketa/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| brochet | /bɾot͡ʃet/ (from spelling rules) | Uruguay, feminine |
| brochette | /bɾot͡ʃette/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| espetón | /espeton/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
A skewer refers to a pin used to secure food during cooking. To describe the action of threading food onto a skewer, use the verb ensartar. You may also use espetar, though this verb is frequently used figuratively to mean to thrust or deliver something, such as a comment or a blow, suddenly.
Which one should you use?
While brocheta is the general term, pincho is often used informally to refer to small, bite-sized pieces of food served on a skewer, such as those found in tapas-style dining. In many Latin American countries, particularly Peru, anticucho refers specifically to a skewer made of beef heart.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Peru, anticucho refers to skewers or kebabs, typically made using marinated beef heart. In Uruguay, you may encounter the form brochet. The term chuzo is a colloquial way to say skewer in several Spanish-speaking regions, particularly in Central and South America.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word brocheta is a feminine noun. The related forms fierrito, anticucho, espetón are masculine nouns. The variations broqueta and brochette are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/bɾoˈtʃeta/
Did you know?
- While brocheta is the standard word for a skewer, it is derived from brocha, which means 'brush'.
- In some regions, the word fierrito, which literally translates to 'little iron', is used for a skewer regardless of whether the tool is actually made of iron.
Examples in context
- Un pincho se denomina el movimiento táctico mediante el cual dos piezas que se encuentran en la misma línea (fila, columna o diagonal) son atacadas simultáneamente, de modo que la primera, al moverse, esquivando el ataque, permita la captura de la otra.A skewer is called a tactical move whereby two pieces that are in the same line (row, column or diagonal) are simultaneously attacked, so that the first, when moving, dodging the attack, allows the capture of the other one.This sentence is useful for explaining the chess term involving the form pincho.Tatoeba #10283428 by carlosalberto, translation #10283426 by carlosalberto
- Voy a preparar unas deliciosas brochetas de pollo para la cena.I'm going to prepare some delicious chicken skewers for dinner.
- ¿Has probado los pinchos de mariscos en el restaurante de la esquina?Have you tried the seafood skewers at the restaurant around the corner?
- En el festival, siempre disfruto de los chuzos de carne asada.At the festival, I always enjoy the grilled meat skewers.
- Vamos a preparar anticuchos para la parrillada de este fin de semana.We're going to make anticuchos for this weekend's barbecue.
- Me encanta pedir un espetón mixto cuando visito Valencia.I love ordering a mixed skewer when I visit Valencia.
- Hoy probé unos pinchitos de pollo en el puesto de la feria y estaban riquísimos.Today, I tried some chicken skewers at the fair booth, and they were delicious.
- La brocheta tiene trozos de carne y verdura.The skewer has pieces of meat and vegetables.
- Pásame esa brocheta de pollo, por favor.Pass me that chicken skewer, please.
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are preparing a barbecue in the garden.
- LucíaDaniel, ¿dónde están las brochetas?Daniel, where are the skewers?
- DanielEstán en el cajón de la cocina, Lucía.They are in the kitchen drawer, Lucía.
- LucíaGracias, voy a armar la brocheta de pollo.Thanks, I'm going to put together the chicken skewer.
- DanielPerfecto, yo preparo las verduras.Perfect, I'll prepare the vegetables.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “skewer” translations and entries brocheta, pincho, fierrito, anticucho, espetón, 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 anticucho, brocheta, fierrito, pincho, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
