Saying 'Raro' for Rare
Mistake: “Asking for meat 'raro'.”
Correction: Poco hecho / Rojo / Jugoso
How to say
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.
🎬Watch & Learn
Rare, Medium, Well Done — in Spanish
💬Other Ways to Say It
Poco hecho / Al punto / Muy hecho
★★★★★
POH-koh EH-choh / al POON-toh / mwee EH-choh
neutral🇪🇸
The standard phrasing in Spain. Literally 'little done', 'at the point' (medium), and 'very done'.
When to use: Use this exclusively when dining in Spain.
Jugoso / A punto / Cocido
★★★★★
hoo-GOH-soh / ah POON-toh / koh-SEE-doh
casual🇦🇷 🇺🇾 🇵🇾
The vocabulary of the 'asado' (BBQ) regions. 'Jugoso' means juicy (rare/medium-rare).
When to use: Essential when visiting steakhouses (parrillas) in the Southern Cone.
Vuelta y vuelta
★★★☆☆
VWEHL-tah ee VWEHL-tah
casual🌍
Literally 'flip and flip'. This corresponds to 'Blue' or 'Very Rare'—seared on the outside, raw inside.
When to use: Use if you like your meat barely cooked.
Tres cuartos
★★★★☆
trehs KWAHR-tohs
neutral🇲🇽 🌎
Literally 'three quarters'. This refers to 'Medium-Well'.
When to use: When you want it cooked more than medium, but with a tiny bit of pink left.
Término inglés
★★☆☆☆
TEHR-mee-noh een-GLEHS
formal🇲🇽 🇨🇴
Literally 'English term/style'. Sometimes used for 'Blue' or very rare.
When to use: In upscale steakhouses to specify very rare meat.
Bien asado
★★★☆☆
byehn ah-SAH-doh
neutral🌎
An alternative to 'bien cocido', specifically referring to roasted or grilled meat.
When to use: When ordering at a BBQ or grill house.
🔑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
Overall Difficulty:beginnerMaster in 10 minutes of study
Pronunciation2/5
The words are phonetic and standard, though rolling the 'R' in 'rojo' or 'parrilla' takes practice.
Grammar1/5
Very simple noun/adjective phrases. No complex conjugation needed.
Cultural Nuance4/5
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
Ordering at a restaurant in ArgentinaA2
Para mí, el bife de chorizo a punto, por favor.
For me, the sirloin steak medium, please.
A waiter asking a customer in SpainA2
¿Le gusta la carne poco hecha o muy hecha?
Do you like the meat rare or well done?
Casual dining context clarifying preferencesB1
Quiero mi hamburguesa tres cuartos, no me gusta ver sangre.
I want my burger medium-well; I don't like seeing blood.
Sending a dish back to the kitchen (Latin America)B1
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 '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
Preferred:Poco hecho / Al punto / Muy hecho
Pronunciation:Uses the 'th' sound for 'c' in some regions, but standard pronunciation applies here.
Alternatives:
Sangrante (Bleeding/Rare)
Spain uses the verb 'hacer' (to do/make) for meat: 'hecho'. This is distinct from the Americas which use 'cocer' (to cook) or 'término'.
⚠️ Note: Avoid using 'término medio', it sounds very foreign there.
🌍
Argentina & Uruguay
Preferred:Jugoso / A punto / Cocido
Pronunciation:The 'll' and 'y' sounds are pronounced with a 'sh' sound (e.g., parri-sha).
Alternatives:
Arrebatado (Burnt outside, raw inside - usually a mistake)
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.
⚠️ Note: Asking for ketchup with your steak is considered a culinary sin.
🇲🇽
Mexico
Preferred:Rojo / Término medio / Tres cuartos / Bien cocido
Pronunciation:Standard Latin American pronunciation.
Alternatives:
Tiernito (Tender/Soft - usually implies rare/medium-rare)
Mexico uses the 'Tres cuartos' (3/4) measurement frequently for Medium-Well, which is very specific and useful.
⚠️ Note: Don't confuse 'cocido' (cooked meat) with 'cocido' (a specific type of stew in Spain), though in context of steak, it's clear.
💬What Comes Next?
The waiter asks how you want your meat
They say:
¿Qué término desea?
What doneness/term would you like?
→
You respond:
Término medio, por favor.
Medium, please.
The waiter confirms your choice
They say:
¿Con un poco de sangre?
With a little blood (pink)?
→
You respond:
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:
"Rare"
Why it''s different: Sounds like 'Raro', but 'Raro' means strange/weird.
Use instead: Poco hecho / Rojo / Jugoso
"Well done"
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?
Use phrases naturally, not mechanically
Knowing a phrase is one thing — using it at the right moment is another. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see phrases in the contexts where they actually belong.
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.
📖Related Lessons
Grammar You''ll Need
Strengthen the grammar behind this phrase:
Helpful Articles
Dive deeper into related topics:
📚Continue Learning Spanish Phrases
Explore More Phrases in These Categories
Find similar phrases to expand your Spanish vocabulary:
Want to Learn More Spanish Phrases?
Browse our complete collection of Spanish phrases organized by situation, from basic greetings to advanced conversations. Perfect for travelers, students, and anyone learning Spanish.
View All Spanish Phrases →