Inklingo

panqueque

pan-KEH-keh/paŋˈkeke/

panqueque means pancake in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

pancake, crêpe

Also: hotcake
NounmA1
Argentina & UruguayMexico
A stack of golden brown pancakes on a plate with a pat of butter and maple syrup.

📝 In Action

Quiero comer un panqueque con dulce de leche.

A1

I want to eat a pancake with milk caramel.

La masa del panqueque tiene que ser muy fina.

B1

The pancake batter needs to be very thin.

Aprendí a dar vuelta los panqueques en el aire.

B2

I learned how to flip pancakes in the air.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • tortita (small pancake (Spain))
  • frixuelo (crêpe (Northern Spain))

Common Collocations

  • masa de panquequepancake batter
  • panqueque de manzanaapple pancake
  • rellenar panquequesto fill pancakes

flip-flopper

Also: turncoat
NounmC1slang
Argentina
A person jumping between a large red circle and a large blue circle on the ground.

📝 In Action

No le creas, es un panqueque; ayer decía lo opuesto.

C1

Don't believe him, he's a flip-flopper; yesterday he was saying the opposite.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • veleta (weathervane (someone who changes with the wind))

Idioms & Expressions

  • darse vuelta como un panquequeTo suddenly and completely change one's opinion or loyalty, usually for convenience.

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "panqueque" in Spanish:

crêpeflip-flopperhotcakepancaketurncoat

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: panqueque

Question 1 of 3

What is the most common filling for a panqueque in Argentina?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
panquequería(pancake house)Noun
🎵 Rhymes
quequemeque
📚 Etymology

Borrowed directly from the English word 'pancake,' adapted to Spanish spelling and phonetics.

First recorded: 20th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: pancake

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is a panqueque the same as a tortilla?

No. A 'tortilla' in Spain is an omelet with potatoes, and in Mexico, it's a flat corn or flour bread for tacos. A 'panqueque' is a sweet, thin pancake.

Can I use this word in Spain?

You will be understood, but people in Spain usually say 'tortitas' for the thick American ones or 'crepes' (using the French word) for the thin ones.

Why is it used for people who change their minds?

It's a visual metaphor: just as you flip a pancake over in the pan to cook the other side, a 'panqueque' person flips their loyalty or opinion to whatever side is more convenient.