bife poco hecho
/bife poko et͡ʃo/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'steak rare' is translated into Spanish as bife poco hecho.
This phrase is used to describe a piece of beef that has been cooked for a very short time so that the center remains red.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase poco hecho literally translates to 'little done' or 'hardly cooked.'
Which one should you use?
If you want a medium-cooked steak, use término medio instead. For the opposite of rare, which is a well-done steak, use muy hecho.
Did you know?
- In Argentina, the bife de chorizo is a cultural icon of the grill. While poco hecho is understood, locals often use the term jugoso to describe a steak that is red and juicy.
- While the phrase bife poco hecho uses the word bife, this word is actually a loanword from the English word 'beef'. It is a relatively modern addition to the Spanish language compared to other culinary terms.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, asking for a steak poco hecho might result in meat that is much more cooked than what an English speaker considers 'rare'.
Examples in context
- Me gustaría un filete poco hecho, por favor.I would like a rare steak, please.
- Un filete vuelta y vuelta bien rojo.A steak seared on both sides, nice and red.
- Quiero el bife poco hecho, por favor.I want the steak rare, please.
- ¿Prefiere el bife poco hecho o bien cocido?Do you prefer the steak rare or well done?
- Él pidió su bife poco hecho.He ordered his steak rare.
Example conversation
A waiter is taking an order at a restaurant.
- ElenaHola, ¿cómo quiere su carne?Hello, how do you want your meat?
- AlejandroPara mí, un bife poco hecho.For me, a steak rare.
- ElenaMuy bien, ¿algún acompañamiento para Alejandro?Very well, any side dish for Alejandro?
- AlejandroSolo patatas fritas, gracias.Just french fries, thank you.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bife, hecho, poco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
