Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pavo | /ˈpabo/ | masculine |
| chompipe | /t͡ʃomˈpipe/ | Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, masculine |
| chumpe | /ˈt͡ʃumpe/ | El Salvador, masculine |
| cócono | /ˈkokono/ | Central, Mexico, Northern, masculine |
| guajolote | /ɡwaxoˈlote/ | masculine |
| guanajo | /ɡwaˈnaxo/ | Cuba, masculine |
| pisco | /ˈpisko/ | Colombia, masculine |
| pípila | /ˈpipila/ | Mexico, feminine |
| güíjolo | /ɡwixolo/ (from spelling rules) | Mexico, masculine |
| gallina de la sierra | /ɡaˌʝina de la ˈsjera/ | feminine |
| xolo (sholo) | masculine |
The term refers to the bird in the genus Meleagris. It is important to distinguish the bird from the country, which is Turquía.
Which one should you use?
Many regional variations exist depending on the specific country or area. Additionally, Turquía refers specifically to the country at the intersection of Europe and Asia, whereas pavo refers to the animal.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Spanish speakers use many different words for this bird depending on their location: – chompipe is used informally in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. – chumpe is used in El Salvador. – cócono is used in Central Mexico and Northern Mexico. – guajolote is an informal term common in Mexico and parts of Central America. – guanajo is the term used in Cuba. – pisco is used in Colombia. – pípila is a feminine form used in Mexico. – güíjolo is a masculine form used in Mexico. – xolo (sholo) is used in some regions.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form pavo becomes pavos in the plural.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈpabo/
Did you know?
- The Mexican term guajolote is derived from the Nahuatl word huey xolotl, which means 'big twin'.
- The Spanish word pavo can actually describe a person's personality, sometimes meaning someone who is 'stuck up' or 'pompous'.
- The English word 'turkey' for the bird is actually a mistake caused by a confusion with the country 'Turkey', whereas Spanish uses a term unrelated to any country.
Examples in context
- Ella asó el pavo.She roasted the turkey.This sentence shows how to use pavo when describing a roasted bird.Tatoeba #2033096 by Shishir, translation #2032998 by Spamster
- Este pavo sabe bien.This turkey tastes good.This sentence uses pavo to describe the taste of the meat.Tatoeba #1396909 by marcelostockle, translation #58817 by CK
- Cocinas pavo con peras.You cook turkey with pears.This sentence demonstrates cooking pavo with a specific ingredient.Tatoeba #10266809 by Seael, translation #4306253 by jshholland
- Me gustaría pedir el pavo relleno, por favor.I would like to order the stuffed turkey, please.
- El pavo es una tradición culinaria en las fiestas navideñas.Turkey is a culinary tradition during the holiday season.
- Nuestro menú incluye opciones vegetarianas y pavo asado.Our menu includes vegetarian options and roasted turkey.
- En la celebración, siempre comemos guajolote al horno.During the celebration, we always eat oven-roasted turkey.
- ¿Qué vas a hacer con el chompipe de Navidad este año?What are you going to do with the Christmas turkey this year?
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are walking through a farm.
- Elena¿Ves aquel pavo allí?Do you see that turkey over there?
- AlejandroSí, es un pavo muy grande.Yes, it is a very large turkey.
- ElenaParece un pavo muy fuerte.He looks like a very strong turkey.
- AlejandroTen cuidado con el pavo, Elena.Be careful with the turkey, Elena.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “turkey” translations and entries pavo, chompipe, chumpe, cócono, guajolote, guanajo, pisco, pípila, gallina de la sierra, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
