Inklingo
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A bright red-and-white striped bowl filled to the brim with fluffy, white popped popcorn.

palomitas

pah-loh-MEE-tahs

nounfA1
popcorn?The snack made from heated corn kernels.
Also:little doves?Literal meaning as a small bird, though rarely used this way compared to the snack.

📝 In Action

Compramos una bolsa grande de palomitas en el cine.

A1

We bought a large bag of popcorn at the movie theater.

Me gusta ponerles mucha sal a las palomitas.

A1

I like to put a lot of salt on the popcorn.

Huele a palomitas recién hechas.

A2

It smells like freshly made popcorn.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • palomitas de maíz (popcorn (full name))

Common Collocations

  • hacer palomitas – to make popcorn
  • palomitas dulces – caramel/sweet popcorn
  • cubo de palomitas – popcorn bucket

💡 Grammar Points

Always Plural

When talking about the snack, we almost always use the plural form 'palomitas' because you rarely eat just one!

The '-itas' ending

The ending '-itas' is used to make words feel smaller or cuter. It comes from 'paloma' (dove), making these 'little doves'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the singular

Mistake: "Quiero una palomita."

Correction: Quiero palomitas.

⭐ Usage Tips

Regional variations

Be careful! While 'palomitas' is standard in Spain and Mexico, almost every Spanish-speaking country has its own unique word for popcorn.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: palomitas

Question 1 of 2

If you are in Argentina and want to order popcorn, what should you ask for?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

paloma(dove / pigeon) - noun
palomar(pigeon loft / dovecote) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'palomitas' masculine or feminine?

It is feminine and plural: 'las palomitas'.

Will people understand me if I say 'palomitas' in any country?

Yes! Even though many countries have their own local names (like 'cotufas' or 'pochoclo'), 'palomitas' is the most internationally recognized term due to movies and TV.