Rare, Medium, Well Done
in SpanishRojo / Término medio / Bien cocido
/ROH-hoh / TEHR-mee-noh MEH-dyoh / byehn koh-SEE-doh/
These are the standard terms used in most of Latin America. 'Rojo' (red) is rare, 'término medio' is medium, and 'bien cocido' (well cooked) is well done.
Using hand gestures along with terms like 'término medio' helps ensure your steak arrives exactly how you like it.
💬Other Ways to Say It
Poco hecho / Al punto / Muy hecho
/POH-koh EH-choh / al POON-toh / mwee EH-choh/
The standard phrasing in Spain. Literally 'little done', 'at the point' (medium), and 'very done'.
Jugoso / A punto / Cocido
/hoo-GOH-soh / ah POON-toh / koh-SEE-doh/
The vocabulary of the 'asado' (BBQ) regions. 'Jugoso' means juicy (rare/medium-rare).
Vuelta y vuelta
/VWEHL-tah ee VWEHL-tah/
Literally 'flip and flip'. This corresponds to 'Blue' or 'Very Rare'—seared on the outside, raw inside.
Tres cuartos
/trehs KWAHR-tohs/
Literally 'three quarters'. This refers to 'Medium-Well'.
Término inglés
/TEHR-mee-noh een-GLEHS/
Literally 'English term/style'. Sometimes used for 'Blue' or very rare.
Bien asado
/byehn ah-SAH-doh/
An alternative to 'bien cocido', specifically referring to roasted or grilled meat.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Steak terminology changes drastically depending on which side of the Atlantic you are on.
| English | Spain | Mexico/Colombia | Argentina/Uruguay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rare | Poco hecho | Rojo / Inglés | Jugoso |
| Medium | Al punto | Término medio | A punto |
| Well Done | Muy hecho | Bien cocido | Cocido |
📈Difficulty Level
The words are phonetic and standard, though rolling the 'R' in 'rojo' or 'parrilla' takes practice.
Very simple noun/adjective phrases. No complex conjugation needed.
High regional variation. Using a Spanish term in Argentina might confuse the waiter or mark you as a tourist immediately.
Key Challenges:
- Remembering which country uses which set of words
- Rolling the R in 'rojo' or 'parrilla'
💡Examples in Action
Para mí, el bife de chorizo a punto, por favor.
For me, the sirloin steak medium, please.
¿Le gusta la carne poco hecha o muy hecha?
Do you like the meat rare or well done?
Quiero mi hamburguesa tres cuartos, no me gusta ver sangre.
I want my burger medium-well; I don't like seeing blood.
La carne está demasiado cruda, la pedí bien cocida.
The meat is too raw, I asked for it well done.
🌍Cultural Context
The 'Well Done' Stigma in the South
In Argentina and Uruguay, countries famous for their beef, ordering a high-quality steak 'bien cocido' (well done) might get you a look of disapproval from the waiter. The local preference is usually 'jugoso' (juicy/medium-rare) or 'a punto' (medium) to preserve the flavor.
Hand Gestures Help
Terms vary wildly between countries (e.g., Mexico vs. Spain vs. Argentina). If you aren't sure if the waiter understands your vocabulary, it's very common to describe the color: 'rosita adentro' (pink inside) or 'sin sangre' (without blood).
Pork and Chicken
Unlike beef, you generally don't specify a 'término' for pork or chicken in Spanish-speaking countries. It is assumed these will always be served 'bien cocido' (fully cooked) for safety reasons.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Saying 'Raro' for Rare
Mistake: "Asking for meat 'raro'."
Correction: Poco hecho / Rojo / Jugoso
Saying 'Bien hecho' for Well Done
Mistake: "Asking for meat 'bien hecho'."
Correction: Bien cocido / Muy hecho
Assuming 'Medio' is enough
Mistake: "Just saying 'medio'."
Correction: Término medio
💡Pro Tips
When in doubt, describe the color
If you forget the specific term for the country you are in, describe the inside. 'Rojo' (red) implies rare, 'rosado' (pink) implies medium, and 'café' or 'gris' (brown/grey) implies well done.
The 'Sangre' (Blood) Factor
If you hate rare meat, a very natural way to express this is simply saying 'que no tenga sangre' (let it not have blood). The waiter will immediately know to cook it medium-well or well done.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
Spain uses the verb 'hacer' (to do/make) for meat: 'hecho'. This is distinct from the Americas which use 'cocer' (to cook) or 'término'.
Argentina & Uruguay
This is the world capital of steak. 'A punto' (at the point) is their medium. If you order 'cocido' (well done), expect a very dry piece of meat, as they believe meat should be eaten juicy.
Mexico
Mexico uses the 'Tres cuartos' (3/4) measurement frequently for Medium-Well, which is very specific and useful.
💬What Comes Next?
The waiter asks how you want your meat
¿Qué término desea?
What doneness/term would you like?
Término medio, por favor.
Medium, please.
The waiter confirms your choice
¿Con un poco de sangre?
With a little blood (pink)?
Sí, así está bien.
Yes, that's fine.
🔄How It Differs from English
In English, we use distinct adjectives (Rare, Medium, Well Done). In Spanish, the terms are often descriptive of the state of the meat (Red, Juicy, At the point, Well cooked). Also, the concept of 'Medium-Rare' is often lumped into 'Jugoso' or 'Rojo' depending on the country, rather than having its own distinct category everywhere.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: Sounds like 'Raro', but 'Raro' means strange/weird.
Use instead: Poco hecho / Rojo / Jugoso
Why it's different: Translates literally to 'Bien hecho', which means 'Good job' (praise).
Use instead: Bien cocido / Muy hecho
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
La cuenta, por favor
Once you've finished your perfectly cooked meal, you'll need to pay.
Tengo alergia a...
Crucial safety vocabulary for dining out.
¡Buen provecho!
The polite thing to say to others when food arrives.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: Rare, Medium, Well Done
Question 1 of 3
You are in Madrid (Spain) and want your steak well done. What do you say?
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I ask for Medium-Rare in Spanish?
This is the hardest term to translate because it varies most. In Argentina, say 'Jugoso'. In Mexico, you might say 'Rojo' or 'Medio rojo'. In Spain, asking for 'Poco hecho' usually gets you Rare/Medium-Rare. If you are picky, it's best to describe it: 'Rosado pero sangrante' (Pink but bleeding).
Can I just say 'Medium' in English?
In high-end steakhouses in major tourist cities (Cancún, Buenos Aires, Madrid), yes, the waiters will understand 'Medium'. However, in local spots or smaller towns, they likely won't. It's much safer to learn 'Término medio' or 'Al punto'.
What if I want it 'Blue' (very rare)?
The universal phrase for seared outside and raw inside is 'Vuelta y vuelta' (flip and flip). In some places, they also call this 'Término azul' (blue term) or simply 'Azul'.
Is it rude to order well done in South America?
It's not 'rude' per se—they will serve it to you—but in Argentina and Uruguay, chefs take great pride in their beef quality. Ordering it 'bien cocido' (well done) is often seen as ruining the meat, and you might get the driest cut available.
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