colación
Chile
In Chile a small snack, especially one a child takes to school, is often called a colación. The English loanword snack is also used for packaged items. It is also called picoteo.
Meaning: small bite between meals (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| colación | Chile |
| snack | borrowed, packaged |
| picoteo | finger food |
Parents ask ¿qué colación llevas? before school. Adults say picoteo for small bites shared at a party or with drinks.
Which one should you use?
Colación refers to a light meal or snack. Snack sounds more commercial and is used for packaged products.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Chile the afternoon meal with tea and bread is called once, which is more than a snack.
Did you know?
- Chilean schools often send home a list of healthy colaciones that children are encouraged to bring.
Examples in context
- Hoy llevo fruta de colación.Today I am taking fruit as a snack.
- Compré unos snacks para la película.I bought some snacks for the movie.
- Hicimos un picoteo con queso y aceitunas.We put together a snack plate with cheese and olives.
Example conversation
Isabel packs the school bag of her son Vicente in Santiago.
- IsabelVicente, ¿qué colación quieres hoy?Vicente, what snack do you want today?
- VicenteUna manzana y galletas.An apple and cookies.
- IsabelAquí está tu colación.Here is your snack.
- VicenteGracias, mamá.Thanks, mom.
