palillo
Mexico
In Mexico a toothpick is a palillo or palillo de dientes. The more formal word is mondadientes.
Meaning: a small stick for cleaning between teeth (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| palillo | Mexico |
| Mondadientes | neutral |
| Palillo de dientes | full form |
Restaurants often keep a small container of palillos by the cash register. The plural is palillos.
Which one should you use?
In some countries palillos also refers to chopsticks, so context matters.
How does it change in a sentence?
Palillo is masculine: un palillo, los palillos.
Did you know?
- In Spain and other countries palillos is also the word for chopsticks.
Examples in context
- ¿Me das un palillo?Can you give me a toothpick?
- Hay palillos junto a la caja.There are toothpicks by the register.
- Usa un palillo de dientes.Use a toothpick.
Example conversation
Beto finishes lunch at a fonda in Guadalajara.
- BetoDisculpe, ¿tiene palillos?Excuse me, do you have toothpicks?
- MeseraSí, junto a la caja.Yes, by the register.
- BetoGracias, estuvo muy rica la comida.Thanks, the food was very good.
