frito
/FREE-toh/
fried
Frito, meaning "fried," describes food cooked in hot oil until crispy.
📝 In Action
Quiero unas patatas fritas con mi hamburguesa.
A1I want some french fries with my hamburger.
El pollo frito de mi abuela es delicioso.
A2My grandmother's fried chicken is delicious.
💡 Grammar Points
Changing the Ending
Since 'frito' describes a person or thing, its ending must match: 'frito' (masculine singular), 'frita' (feminine singular), 'fritos' (masculine plural), and 'fritas' (feminine plural).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Frito' and 'Freído'
Mistake: "Using the regular form 'freído' as the adjective (e.g., 'el pescado freído')."
Correction: Always use the irregular form 'frito' when using it as a descriptive word: 'el pescado frito'. (Note: 'freído' is sometimes used for the perfect tenses, but 'frito' is always used as the adjective.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Menu Key Word
Look for this word on menus to know if the dish has been deep-fried. If you prefer healthier options, look for 'a la plancha' (grilled) or 'al horno' (baked).
When describing a person who is physically or mentally tired, frito translates to "exhausted."
frito(adjective)
exhausted
?physically or mentally tired
,done for
?ruined or in big trouble
screwed
?in a difficult situation
📝 In Action
Después de correr la maratón, estoy completamente frito.
B2After running the marathon, I am completely exhausted.
Si llegas tarde al aeropuerto, estás frito, pierdes el vuelo.
C1If you arrive late to the airport, you are done for; you'll miss the flight.
💡 Grammar Points
Used with 'Estar'
This figurative meaning almost always uses the verb 'estar' (to be temporarily) because it describes a temporary state of feeling tired or being in trouble.
⭐ Usage Tips
Figurative Connection
Think of this meaning as being 'cooked' or 'burnt out,' which helps connect the physical state of frying food to the feeling of exhaustion or being ruined.
As a noun, frito refers to a mixed dish of fried food, often called a "fry-up."
📝 In Action
El frito mallorquín es un plato que lleva carne y verduras fritas.
B2The Mallorcan fry-up is a dish that contains fried meat and vegetables.
Pedimos un frito variado de pescado para el almuerzo.
B1We ordered a mixed seafood fry for lunch.
⭐ Usage Tips
Culinary Noun
When used with the article 'el' (el frito), you are referring to the dish itself, not just the cooking method.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: frito
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'frito' in its slang meaning?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
If 'frito' is a past participle, what is the base verb?
The base verb is 'freír' (to fry). 'Frito' is the irregular way to say 'fried' or 'having fried.' This form is usually preferred over the regular form 'freído' when using it as a descriptive word.
How do I know if 'frito' means 'fried' or 'exhausted'?
Context is key! If 'frito' is describing a food item, it means 'fried.' If it is describing a person who is 'estar frito' (to be fried), it means they are exhausted or in trouble.