Inklingo

How to Say "french fries" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “french fries” is “papas” — use 'papas' when you want to refer to french fries, especially in contexts where 'potato' is implied or the general word for fries is desired. This term is very common across many Spanish-speaking regions..

English → Spanish

papas

PAH-pahs/ˈpa.pas/

nounA1general
Use 'papas' when you want to refer to french fries, especially in contexts where 'potato' is implied or the general word for fries is desired. This term is very common across many Spanish-speaking regions.
A small pile of golden, crispy French fries served in a simple red container.

Examples

¿Me pones unas papas con el sándwich, por favor?

Could you give me some fries with the sandwich, please?

No comas tantas papas de bolsa, no son saludables.

Don't eat so many potato chips (crisps), they aren't healthy.

Shortening Phrases

Often, Spanish speakers shorten common food phrases. 'Papas' here is a quick way to say 'papas fritas' (fried potatoes).

fritas

FREE-tas/ˈfɾi.tas/

nounA1general
Use 'fritas' when you want to emphasize that the potatoes are fried, often as a direct descriptor for french fries, and is commonly used in Spain.
A stack of thick, golden french fries overflowing from a simple red serving container.

Examples

Quiero una hamburguesa con doble queso y unas buenas fritas.

I want a double cheeseburger and some good fries.

¿Pedimos unas fritas para picar mientras esperamos?

Shall we order some chips to snack on while we wait?

Always Plural

Even if you are talking about just one serving, the word 'fritas' is always used in the plural, just like 'fries' in English.

Using the Singular

Mistake: “Quiero una frita.”

Correction: Quiero unas fritas. The singular form 'frita' is not used to mean a serving of fries.

Choosing Between 'Papas' and 'Fritas'

The most common mistake is not realizing that 'papas' is the more widely understood and general term for french fries across most of the Spanish-speaking world. While 'fritas' is correct, especially in Spain, using 'papas' is generally safer and more universally recognized.

Related Translations

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