Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| merienda | /meˈɾjenda/ | feminine |
| tentempié | /tentemˈpje/ | masculine |
| refrigerio | /refɾiˈxeɾjo/ | masculine |
| botana | /boˈtana/ | Mexico, feminine |
| piquislabis | /pikislabis/ (from spelling rules) | Southern Spain, masculine |
| piscolabis | /piskolabis/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| refacción | /refaɡˈθjon/ /refaɡˈsjon/ |
Guatemala, masculine |
| refección | /refeɡˈθjon/ /refeɡˈsjon/ |
feminine |
| mecato | /mekato/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
A snack is an item of food eaten between meals.
Which one should you use?
While merienda can mean any snack, it specifically refers to the light meal eaten in the late afternoon. For instance, bocado refers to a single mouthful or a small bite of food rather than the snack as a complete meal. In Spain, the term picoteo is used informally to describe the act of snacking or eating small bites of food.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, botana is the standard feminine term for snacks, often referring to finger foods or appetizers. In Guatemala, refacción is a masculine term for a snack, while refección is the feminine form. In Colombia, mecato is a masculine term used for snacks or small treats. In Southern Spain, piquislabis is a masculine term used for a snack.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb merendar is used specifically for the action of eating the afternoon snack (la merienda). To describe the general act of snacking or eating small amounts of food between meals, you can use the verb picar or its related forms like mecatear.
How do you pronounce it?
/meˈɾjenda/
Did you know?
- The word tentempié literally means 'try to keep yourself on your feet', implying the food is meant to keep you upright until the next meal.
- In Spanish, the verb picar describes snacking but also means 'to sting' or 'to peck' like a bird.
- While merienda is a snack, in many Spanish-speaking cultures it is a formal daily ritual that bridges the gap between lunch and dinner.
Examples in context
- Vamos a hacer una pausa para la merienda.We are going to have a break for a snack.This sentence is useful for describing a break taken for the merienda.Tatoeba #1293070 by hayastan, translation #2767562 by catcher
- Puedes tomarte un tentempié mientras tanto.You can have a snack in the meantime.This sentence is useful for suggesting a tentempié.Tatoeba #10094999 by manufrutos, translation #10094783 by ddnktr
- Tengo algo de pudin de natillas para la merienda.I had some custard pudding for an afternoon snack.This sentence is useful for describing what was eaten for the merienda.Tatoeba #5047081 by albrusgher, translation #64832 by CK
- ¿Te apetece una merienda?Would you like a snack?
- Podemos tomar un tentempié ligero.We can have a light snack.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and María are talking in the kitchen during the afternoon.
- Daniel¿Quieres comer algo para la merienda?Do you want to eat something for a snack?
- MaríaSí, tengo mucha hambre ahora mismo.Yes, I am very hungry right now.
- DanielTengo manzanas y yogur para la merienda.I have apples and yogurt for the snack.
- MaríaPerfecto, me comeré una manzana.Perfect, I will eat an apple.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “snack” translations and entries merienda, tentempié, refrigerio, botana, piquislabis, piscolabis, refacción, refección, 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 bocado, botana, refrigerio, tentempié, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
