How to Say "barbecue" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “barbecue” is “asado” — use 'asado' when referring to the social gathering or party where meat is grilled, emphasizing the event itself.
asado
ah-SAH-dohaˈsaðo
Examples
Este domingo vamos a hacer un asado en casa.
This Sunday we are going to have a barbecue at home.
El asado es la comida más popular de Argentina.
Barbecue is the most popular food in Argentina.
A Person, Place, and Thing
As a noun, 'un asado' refers to the whole experience: the fire, the meat, the friends, and the meal itself.
barbacoa
bar-bah-KOH-ahbaɾβaˈkoa
Examples
Limpiamos la barbacoa antes de cocinar las hamburguesas.
We cleaned the barbecue before cooking the burgers.
Compramos una barbacoa de carbón muy grande.
We bought a very large charcoal grill.
Gender check
This word is feminine, so you should always use it with 'la' or 'una'.
parrilla
pah-ree-yahpaˈriʝa
Examples
Limpia la parrilla antes de poner la carne.
Clean the grill before putting the meat on.
Fuimos a una parrilla argentina y pedimos un chuletón.
We went to an Argentine steakhouse and ordered a ribeye steak.
Me gusta el salmón a la parrilla con un poco de limón.
I like grilled salmon with a bit of lemon.
Describing Food Style
To say food is 'grilled', always use the phrase 'a la parrilla' after the name of the food, like 'pollo a la parrilla'.
Gender Consistency
This word is always feminine. You must use 'la' or 'una' with it, even if you are talking about a big heavy grill.
Grill vs. Barbecue
Mistake: “Using 'parrilla' to describe the whole party.”
Correction: Use 'parrilla' for the metal grate itself, but use 'barbacoa' or 'parrillada' to refer to the social event or the party.
Confusing the Event with the Equipment
Related Translations
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