guajolote
Mexico, everyday
In Mexico the bird is most often called guajolote. Pavo is the general Spanish word and everyone understands it. Both are masculine, and the female bird is guajolota or pava.
Meaning: large bird eaten at festive meals (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| guajolote | Mexico, everyday |
| pavo | general |
Guajolote is the word for the animal, as in a farm or a market. Pavo is very common for the meat, for example pavo relleno at Christmas.
Which one should you use?
Other Spanish speakers say pavo almost everywhere, so guajolote is a clear sign of Mexican speech.
When do people say it?
The turkey was domesticated in Mexico long before the Spanish arrived, and mole con guajolote is a classic festive dish.
Did you know?
- The word guajolote comes from Nahuatl.
Examples in context
- El guajolote camina por el patio.The turkey walks around the yard.
- Esta Navidad vamos a comer pavo.This Christmas we are going to eat turkey.
- Mi abuela cría guajolotes.My grandmother raises turkeys.
Example conversation
Rosa and her cousin Mateo visit their grandmother's ranch in Puebla.
- Mateo¿Qué es ese ruido?What is that noise?
- RosaEs el guajolote, tiene hambre.It is the turkey, he is hungry.
- MateoQué grande está.He is so big.
- RosaSí, es para la cena de Navidad.Yes, he is for Christmas dinner.
