Spanish · Food & Drink
"Beef" in Spanish: carne de res
la carne de res
Note: ES: la carne de ternera
Beef is la carne de res (KAR-neh deh rehs), feminine. On menus, carne asada is often beef. In Spain you may see carne de ternera instead of carne de res.
At a taquería
Tres tacos de carne de res, por favor.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce carne de res
Say it
KAR-neh deh rehs
/ˈkaɾ.ne ðe ˈres/
KAR-neh deh rehs. Stress KAR. Clear res; single tap r.
"Beef" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| la carne de res | beef Clear Latin American label for beef. | Clear Latin American label for beef. |
| la carne asada | grilled beef / grilled meat Tacos and cookouts; often beef. | Tacos and cookouts; often beef. |
| la carne de ternera | beef / veal (Spain) Common Castilian label; note ES difference. | Common Castilian label; note ES difference. |
| el bistec | steak A cut of beef on many menus. | A cut of beef on many menus. |
How to use carne de res in real life
- 1At a taquería
Tres tacos de carne de res, por favor.
Three beef tacos, please.
Carne de res names the filling clearly.
- 2At a butcher
Quiero un kilo de carne de res molida.
I want a kilo of ground beef.
Carne de res molida is ground beef.
- 3Reading a menu
¿Este guiso lleva carne de res?
Does this stew have beef?
Ask with carne de res when pork is also possible.
Mistakes English speakers make with carne de res
Incorrect: El carne de res está lista.
Correct: La carne de res está lista.
Carne is feminine, so la carne de res takes la and lista.
Incorrect: Quiero beef en los tacos.
Correct: Quiero carne de res en los tacos.
Say carne de res, not English beef.
Good to know
In Latin America, carne de res marks cow meat next to cerdo or pollo. Carne alone on simple menus often means beef. Spain prefers ternera; travelers still understand carne de res.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Ordering tacos at a busy stand
ChatPal
¿Carne de res o de cerdo?
Beef or pork?
You
Carne de res, dos tacos.
Beef, two tacos.
ChatPal
¿Con cebolla y cilantro?
With onion and cilantro?
You
Sí, por favor.
Yes, please.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Beef" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Beef" in Spanish
Is carne de res masculine or feminine?
Feminine because carne is feminine: la carne de res, esta carne de res.
What do they say in Spain?
Often carne de ternera or vacuno. Latin America favors carne de res.
Is carne asada always beef?
Usually grilled beef. Ask if carne asada is unclear.
How do I say ground beef?
Carne de res molida, or carne molida when beef is assumed.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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