barbacoa
/bar-bah-KOH-ah/
barbecue
A 'barbacoa' can refer to the grill or equipment used for cooking food over an open fire.
barbacoa(noun)
barbecue
?the cooking equipment or grill
,BBQ
?shortened version of the cooking equipment
grill
?the physical structure used for cooking outdoors
📝 In Action
Limpiamos la barbacoa antes de cocinar las hamburguesas.
A1We cleaned the barbecue before cooking the burgers.
Compramos una barbacoa de carbón muy grande.
A2We bought a very large charcoal grill.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender check
This word is feminine, so you should always use it with 'la' or 'una'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Grill vs. Event
In many Spanish-speaking countries, 'barbacoa' refers specifically to the metal structure or the pit where the food is cooked.
In many cultures, a 'barbacoa' is a social gathering or party where food is cooked and shared outdoors.
📝 In Action
Estás invitado a una barbacoa en mi casa este domingo.
A1You are invited to a barbecue at my house this Sunday.
⭐ Usage Tips
Inviting friends
When you say 'hacer una barbacoa', you are usually inviting people over for the whole experience, not just the food.
'Barbacoa' also refers to the traditional dish of tender, slow-cooked meat, often served in tacos.
📝 In Action
Los tacos de barbacoa son los mejores para el desayuno.
B1Barbacoa tacos are the best for breakfast.
💡 Grammar Points
Describing the food
When referring to the meat, it acts as a specific type of dish, often served in tacos or as a stew (consomé).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: barbacoa
Question 1 of 2
If someone invites you to 'una barbacoa' in Spain, what are they inviting you to?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'barbacoa' and 'parrilla'?
While often used interchangeably, 'barbacoa' usually refers to the whole event or a specific cooking style (sometimes including a lid), whereas 'parrilla' refers specifically to the metal grate or grill rack itself.
Is 'barbacoa' always meat?
Usually, yes. While the word describes the grill or the event, when referring to food, it almost always implies meat unless specified otherwise (like 'barbacoa de verduras').