pajita
/paˈxita/
The English word straw is translated into Spanish as pajita.
The term for a straw used for drinking is typically pajita. However, if you are referring to straw as an agricultural material, such as dried stalks of grain, the word is paja.
What does it mean word for word?
pajita is a diminutive of paja (straw), using the suffix -ita which means "little". Literally, it means "little straw".
Is it said differently in some regions?
Different regions use different words for a drinking straw: popote is frequently used in Mexico, while pitillo is common in parts of Colombia and Venezuela. In some areas of the Canary Islands in Spain, the term sorbete is used. Additionally, pitillo is a common word in Latin America and some regions of Spain.
How do you pronounce it?
/paˈxita/
Did you know?
- While pajita means 'straw' in Spain, in some Latin American countries the word is common slang for masturbation. Using it in the wrong region can lead to a very awkward misunderstanding.
- The term popote used in Mexico actually derives from the word 'popotl', which comes from the Nahuatl language.
- The term sorbete used in the Canary Islands is a cognate of the English 'sorbet', though in Spanish it refers to the tool for sucking rather than the frozen dessert.
Examples in context
- Metió una pajita en un hormiguero.He stuck a straw into an anthill.This sentence shows the use of pajita in a physical context.Tatoeba #10084941 by Seael, translation #3522656 by Balamax
- Durante el primer mes después del accidente ella sólo podía tomar líquidos con pajita.For the first month after the accident she could only drink liquids through a straw.This sentence illustrates using pajita to drink liquids.Tatoeba #709215 by Shishir, translation #709136 by darinmex
- ¿Tienes una pajita con cuchara?Do you have a straw with a spoon?
- ¿Me puedes pasar un pitillo con cuchara?Can you pass me a straw with a spoon?
- Necesito un pitillo para mi jugoI need a straw for my juice.
- ¿Me das una pajita para mi zumo?Can you give me a straw for my juice?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A young man and woman are at a cafe.
- MateoElena, ¿tienes una pajita?Elena, do you have a straw?
- ElenaNo, Mateo, no tengo ninguna.No, Mateo, I don't have any.
- MateoVoy a pedírsela al camarero.I am going to ask the waiter for one.
- ElenaVale, gracias.Okay, thanks.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry pajita, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
