Inklingo

How to Say "ice pop" in Spanish

English → Spanish

paleta

pah-LEH-tahpaˈleta

nounA1general
Use 'paleta' when referring to a frozen snack, especially one that is fruit-based and often homemade or artisanal.
A colorful fruit popsicle on a wooden stick with small water droplets on its surface.

Examples

Hace mucho calor, quiero una paleta de limón.

It's very hot, I want a lemon popsicle.

El niño está comiendo una paleta de dulce.

The boy is eating a lollipop.

Venden paletas de frutas naturales en esa tienda.

They sell natural fruit ice pops in 그 shop.

Gender Check

Since it ends in '-a', it's almost always feminine: 'la paleta' or 'una paleta'.

Popsicle vs. Ice Cream

Mistake:Using 'helado' for a popsicle.

Correction: Use 'helado' for scooped ice cream in a cone or bowl, and 'paleta' for anything on a stick.

polo

POH-lohˈpo.lo

nounA1general
Use 'polo' for a general frozen confection or ice lolly, often implying a commercially produced, flavored ice treat.
A bright orange, rectangular popsicle held by a wooden stick.

Examples

Los niños pidieron un polo de fresa después de jugar.

The children asked for a strawberry popsicle after playing.

Este polo de naranja está muy refrescante.

This orange ice pop is very refreshing.

Paleta vs. Polo

The most common mistake is using 'polo' when you specifically mean a fruit-based frozen treat, as 'paleta' is more strongly associated with that specific type. While 'polo' can refer to any frozen confection, 'paleta' often implies a fruitier, sometimes more artisanal, ice pop.

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