Inklingo

How to Say "frankfurter" in Spanish

English → Spanish

salchicha

sahl-CHEE-chah/salˈtʃi.tʃa/

NounA1Informal
Use 'salchicha' when referring to a frankfurter as a general type of sausage, particularly in casual dining or when ordering food.
A single, plump, cooked sausage link with a bright reddish-brown casing, displayed against a plain background.

Examples

Quiero dos salchichas en mi plato, por favor.

I want two sausages on my plate, please.

Compramos pan para hacer perros calientes con salchichas.

We bought bread to make hot dogs with sausages.

La salchicha de desayuno es muy popular en este hotel.

The breakfast sausage is very popular in this hotel.

Gender Rule

Since 'salchicha' ends in '-a', it is a feminine noun, so you must use 'la' (the) or 'una' (a) before it.

Mixing up sausage types

Mistake: “Using 'salchicha' when you mean 'chorizo'.”

Correction: While 'salchicha' is generic sausage, 'chorizo' is usually a specific, often spicy, cured sausage. Ask if the sausage is 'dulce' (sweet/mild) or 'picante' (spicy).

frank

/frahnk//fɾaŋk/

NounB1Informal
Use 'frank' when you want to be very specific about a frankfurter-style sausage, or when you see it used as a loanword in Spanish, often in more specific culinary contexts.
A single, plump, reddish-brown cooked frankfurter sausage, suitable for a hot dog, resting on a simple background.

Examples

Voy a preparar unos franks para la cena.

I'm going to prepare some franks for dinner.

¿Prefieres el frank con mostaza o con ketchup?

Do you prefer the frankfurter with mustard or ketchup?

Compramos un paquete de franks para la parrillada.

We bought a pack of franks for the barbecue.

Gender of Borrowed Words

Words borrowed from other languages, like 'frank' from English/German, usually take the masculine form ('el') in Spanish. So you'd say 'el frank' and 'los franks'.

Using 'Frank' vs. 'Salchicha'

Mistake: “Using 'frank' in a formal setting or assuming everyone knows it.”

Correction: Use 'salchicha' (sausage) or 'frankfurt' in most situations. 'Frank' is very casual and not universally understood. 'Salchicha' is the general, all-purpose word.

Salchicha vs. Frank

Learners often wonder if 'salchicha' is only for hot dogs. While 'frank' is more precise, 'salchicha' is widely understood and used for frankfurters in many Spanish-speaking countries, especially when ordering food.

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