pajita
widespread
There is no single word for a drinking straw in Latin America. The word pajita is understood widely, popote is Mexican, pitillo is Colombian and sorbete is Argentine.
Meaning: drinking straw (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| pajita | widespread |
| popote | Mexico |
| pitillo | Colombia |
| sorbete | Argentina |
In Central America and Costa Rica you will also hear pajilla. When you are unsure, pajita is the word most listeners will recognize.
Which one should you use?
In Spain pajita is the normal word, so the other options show the regional variety of Latin America.
Did you know?
- The word for a straw is a good example of how a common object gets different names in Latin America.
Examples in context
- ¿Me das un popote?Can I have a straw?
- Quiero un jugo con pitillo.I want a juice with a straw.
- Pidió un sorbete para el helado.He asked for a straw for the ice cream.
Example conversation
Two friends, Ana from Mexico and Laura from Colombia, order drinks at a cafe.
- Ana¿Me pasas un popote?Can you pass me a straw?
- Laura¿Un qué? Ah, un pitillo.A what? Oh, a straw.
- AnaSí, así le decimos en México.Yes, that is what we call it in Mexico.
