menudo
/meh-NOO-doh/
small
Menudo can mean small in size or detail.
menudo(adjective)
small
?size, fine detail
,tiny
?delicate or fragmented
petty
?insignificant matters
,minute
?extremely small
📝 In Action
Las cuentas de collar eran tan menudas que casi no las veías.
B1The necklace beads were so tiny that you could hardly see them.
Se entretiene con cosas menudas y sin importancia.
B2He gets distracted by petty, unimportant things.
💡 Grammar Points
Matching the Noun
Like most Spanish describing words, 'menudo' must change its ending to match the thing it describes: 'menudo' (masculine singular), 'menuda' (feminine singular), 'menudos' (masculine plural), and 'menudas' (feminine plural).
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'a menudo'
The absolute most common way to see this word is in the fixed phrase 'a menudo,' which acts like an adverb and means 'often' or 'frequently.' Memorize this phrase immediately!
Menudo is also used to refer to small change or loose coins.
📝 In Action
Perdón, no tengo cambio. ¿Me puede pagar con menudo?
A2Excuse me, I don't have change. Can you pay me with small coins?
Encontré un poco de menudo en el bolsillo del pantalón.
B1I found a little bit of loose change in my pants pocket.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Masculine
When used for money, 'menudo' is always a masculine noun ('el menudo') and is usually treated as singular, even though it refers to many small coins.
In a culinary context, menudo refers to offal, typically internal organs used for dishes like the famous Mexican stew.
menudo(noun)
offal
?culinary, internal organs of an animal
,tripe
?culinary, stomach lining
giblets
?culinary, small poultry parts
📝 In Action
El caldo de menudo es muy popular en el norte de México.
B2Menudo soup (made with tripe) is very popular in Northern Mexico.
Mi abuela prepara el menudo con mucho chile y especias.
C1My grandmother prepares the tripe stew with a lot of chili and spices.
⭐ Usage Tips
Regional Food Note
In many parts of Latin America and Spain, 'menudo' refers to a traditional, hearty stew made from tripe (part of the cow's stomach). It's a common regional specialty.
Menudo can be used as an intensifier, similar to saying 'What a...' (e.g., 'Menudo día' - What a day).
menudo(adjective)
what a
?intensifier/exclamation
,quite a
?significant or notable
big
?used ironically for emphasis
📝 In Action
¡Menuda fiesta nos perdimos anoche!
B2What a party we missed last night!
Has encontrado un menudo tesoro en ese viejo libro.
C1You've found quite a treasure in that old book.
¡Menudo lío se ha armado!
B2What a mess has been made!
💡 Grammar Points
Irony and Emphasis
This meaning is often used ironically, where 'menudo' (small) actually means 'big' or 'important' to express surprise, shock, or admiration. It usually appears right before the noun in an exclamation.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Size vs. Quality
Mistake: "Using '¡Qué problema tan menudo!' when you mean 'What a huge problem!'"
Correction: Use '¡Menudo problema!' The structure itself carries the meaning of 'big' or 'significant,' so don't try to add 'tan' or 'qué' unnecessarily.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: menudo
Question 1 of 2
Which translation of 'menudo' is used in the following sentence: '¡Menudo coche te has comprado!'
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'menudo' means 'small' or 'big' (intensive)?
The meaning depends entirely on the context and structure. If it is describing size neutrally (e.g., 'letras menudas'), it means small. If it is used in an exclamation structure (e.g., '¡Menuda sorpresa!') or emphasizes a quality, it means 'big,' 'significant,' or 'quite a lot of,' often with a tone of surprise.