raspado
neutral, Mexico
In Mexico a snow cone is a raspado. It is shaved ice flavored with fruit syrup and sold from street carts and shops.
You ask for un raspado de limón or un raspado de tamarindo. Sellers often add chile powder, fruit pieces or sweet condensed milk.
Meaning: shaved ice with syrup (noun)
Which one should you use?
In Mexico nieve means sorbet or ice cream made in an ice-cream shop, not a snow cone. Use raspado for the shaved ice.
When do people say it?
Raspados are popular on hot days and in plazas, especially during fairs and school breaks.
Did you know?
- The word raspado comes from the verb raspar, meaning "to scrape", which describes how the ice is shaved.
Examples in context
- Quiero un raspado de fresa.I want a strawberry snow cone.
- El raspado de tamarindo lleva chile.The tamarind snow cone has chile.
- Hace calor, vamos por unos raspados.It is hot, let us go get snow cones.
Example conversation
Sandra and her son Leo stop at an ice cart in a plaza in Oaxaca.
- SandraBuenas tardes, dos raspados, por favor.Good afternoon, two snow cones, please.
- Vendedor¿De qué sabor?What flavor?
- LeoDe limón, con chile.Lemon, with chile.
