pitillo
/piˈtiʝo/
In Spanish, the English word straw (referring to a drinking tube) is translated as pitillo.
The term refers to a thin tube used for sucking liquid out of a glass or container.
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between the drinking tool and the plant material. While pitillo is a drinking straw, the word paja refers to dried stalks of grain used for crafts or animal bedding.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The word for a drinking straw varies significantly by location. In Colombia, Venezuela and parts of Central America, use pitillo. In Panama City and its central regions, popote is widely used, though calimete is more prevalent in other areas of Panama. In Spain, the typical word is pajita. In the Southern Cone region of South America, specifically Argentina, Uruguay and Chile, the word is often sorbete.
How do you pronounce it?
/piˈtiʝo/
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Disculpe, ¿tiene una pajilla para mi refresco, por favor?Excuse me, do you have a straw for my drink, please?
- ¡Hey! ¿Puedes pasarme un popote para mi jugo?Hey! Can you pass me a straw for my juice?
- Necesito un pitillo para mi refresco.I need a straw for my soda.
- El pitillo es demasiado corto.The straw is too short.
- No uses un pitillo de plástico.Do not use a plastic straw.
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are at a cafe.
- LucíaAlejandro, ¿me puedes traer un pitillo?Alejandro, can you bring me a straw?
- AlejandroClaro, Lucía, ahora mismo lo busco.Sure, Lucía, I will look for it right now.
- LucíaGracias, mi jugo está muy frío.Thanks, my juice is very cold.
- AlejandroAquí tienes el pitillo y el jugo.Here is the straw and the juice.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry pitillo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
