caballito de tequila
/kabaʝito de tekila/from spelling rules
A tequila shot in Spanish is caballito de tequila.
The phrase refers to a small serving of tequila intended to be drunk quickly from a shot glass. In a bar setting, you can simplify this by saying un caballito to order a single shot.
What does it mean word for word?
The word caballito is the diminutive of caballo (horse), literally meaning little horse.
Which one should you use?
You might also hear the informal Chupito de tequila.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, caballito de tequila is the specific term used. Furthermore, in Mexico, the word caballito is often used to refer specifically to the shot glass itself.
Did you know?
- In Mexico, saying caballito can refer to the liquid shot, the glass itself or even a wheelie performed on a bicycle or motorcycle.
- The word tequila is a proper noun derived from the name of the specific town in Jalisco where it originated.
- While caballito is standard in Mexico, people in Spain typically use chupito, which comes from the verb chupar meaning 'to suck' or 'to sip'.
Examples in context
- Tráenos un caballito de tequila, por favor.Bring us a tequila shot, please.
- No me gusta el caballito de tequila sin sal.I don't like a tequila shot without salt.
- ¿Quieres pedir un caballito de tequila para brindar?Do you want to order a tequila shot to toast?
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are sitting at a bar celebrating a promotion.
- LucíaDaniel, ¿pedimos un caballito de tequila?Daniel, shall we order a tequila shot?
- DanielSí, me parece una excelente idea.Yes, that sounds like an excellent idea.
- Lucía¡Salud por tu nuevo trabajo!Cheers to your new job!
- Daniel¡Gracias, Lucía!Thanks, Lucía!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries caballito, de, tequila, CC BY-SA 4.0.
