fideos
/fee-DEH-ohs/
noodles
In Spanish, 'fideos' refers to noodles or thin strands of pasta.
fideos(noun)
noodles
?general term for pasta strands
vermicelli
?specifically very thin soup noodles
,pasta
?used broadly in some regions
📝 In Action
Voy a preparar una sopa de fideos para la cena.
A1I'm going to make a noodle soup for dinner.
Los fideos están listos en cinco minutos.
A1The noodles are ready in five minutes.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Plural?
While you can say 'un fideo' to refer to a single strand of pasta, you'll almost always see this word in the plural form ('fideos') because we usually eat them in a bowl or a package.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Noodles vs. Pasta
Mistake: "Using 'fideos' for every kind of pasta like lasagna or ravioli."
Correction: Use 'fideos' specifically for long, string-like pasta. For everything else, the general word 'pasta' is better.
⭐ Usage Tips
Quick Cook Tip
In Spain and Mexico, 'fideos' often refers to very thin, short noodles used specifically for soups, similar to vermicelli.
The word 'fideos' can also be used colloquially to describe a very thin person, much like the English word 'stringbean'.
📝 In Action
¡Qué alto y flaco está tu hijo! Parece un fideo.
B1Your son is so tall and thin! He looks like a stringbean.
Después de estar enfermo, se quedó hecho un fideo.
B2After being sick, he became thin as a rail.
💡 Grammar Points
Comparing People to Food
When we use 'fideo' to describe a person, we often use the phrase 'hecho un fideo' or 'parecer un fideo' to make the comparison clear.
⭐ Usage Tips
Friendliness Check
Calling someone a 'fideo' is usually lighthearted and informal among friends, but like any word about weight, be careful with your tone!
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: fideos
Question 1 of 2
What is a 'sopa de fideos'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'pasta' and 'fideos'?
All 'fideos' are a type of pasta, but not all pasta are 'fideos'. Think of 'pasta' as the category (like lasagna, penne, etc.) and 'fideos' specifically as the long, thin strands like spaghetti or vermicelli.
Can I use 'fideo' in the singular?
Yes! You use 'un fideo' when talking about one single strand of noodle, or when using the slang term for a skinny person.