Spanish · Food & Drink
"Snack" in Spanish: merienda
la merienda
Note: Mexico: la botana; ES: el tentempié
A snack—especially an afternoon bite—is la merienda (meh-RYEN-dah), a feminine noun. Mexico also uses botana for savory bites; Spain may say tentempié beside merienda.
Afternoon plans
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How to pronounce merienda
Say it
meh-RYEN-dah
/meˈɾjen.da/
meh-RYEN-dah, stress on RYEN. In merienda, ie is one syllable like "yen" with a light r tap. Do not split me-ri-en-da.
"Snack" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| la merienda | afternoon snack; light bite Default on these pages for a between-meals snack. | Default on these pages for a between-meals snack. |
| merendar | to have a snack (often afternoon) Verb: merendamos a las cinco. | Verb: merendamos a las cinco. |
| la botana | savory snack / bar snack (Mexico) Chips, peanuts, and antojitos with drinks. | Chips, peanuts, and antojitos with drinks. |
| el tentempié | snack (Spain) Castilian word for a light bite. | Castilian word for a light bite. |
How to use merienda in real life
- 1Afternoon plans
¿Tomamos una merienda a las cinco?
Shall we have a snack at five?
Classic merienda timing in many homes.
- 2Packing food
Llevo fruta para la merienda.
I'm bringing fruit for the snack.
Merienda can be simple fruit.
- 3With kids
Después de la escuela hay merienda.
After school there is a snack.
School-day merienda is a light bridge to dinner.
Mistakes English speakers make with merienda
Incorrect: El merienda está lista.
Correct: La merienda está lista.
Merienda is feminine: la merienda.
Incorrect: Quiero un snack ahora.
Correct: Quiero una merienda ahora.
Use merienda (or botana in Mexico for savory bar snacks), not English snack.
Good to know
Merienda is traditionally an afternoon bite between lunch and dinner. Mexican botana leans savory with drinks. Spain's tentempié is a general snack word; these pages lead with merienda.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Planning a late-afternoon bite
ChatPal
¿Hacemos una merienda antes de salir?
Shall we have a snack before going out?
You
Sí. Una merienda ligera está bien.
Yes. A light snack is fine.
ChatPal
Hay pan dulce para la merienda.
There is sweet bread for the snack.
You
Perfecto con café.
Perfect with coffee.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Snack" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Snack" in Spanish
Is merienda masculine or feminine?
Feminine: la merienda, una merienda ligera.
What is the difference between merienda and botana?
Merienda is often the afternoon snack. Botana in Mexico is usually savory with drinks.
What do people say in Spain?
El tentempié is a common Spain word; merienda is still understood.
How do you pronounce merienda?
meh-RYEN-dah with stress on RYEN.
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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