Spanish · Food & Drink
"Steak" in Spanish: bistec
el bistec
Steak is el bistec (bees-TEHK), a masculine noun. Order un bistec a la plancha or bistec con papas. You may also see biftec on older menus; bistec is the common Latin American spelling.
Dinner menu
Para mí, el bistec a la plancha.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce bistec
Say it
bees-TEHK
/bisˈtek/
bees-TEHK, stress on TEHK. The b is soft between vowels in fast speech, but a clear b is fine for bistec.
"Steak" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| el bistec | steak Default menu word for a beef steak portion. | Default menu word for a beef steak portion. |
| el bistec a la plancha | grilled steak Flat-grill preparation. | Flat-grill preparation. |
| el bistec encebollado | steak with onions Popular home and diner style. | Popular home and diner style. |
| el biftec | steak (variant spelling) Less common spelling of the same idea as bistec. | Less common spelling of the same idea as bistec. |
How to use bistec in real life
- 1Dinner menu
Para mí, el bistec a la plancha.
For me, the grilled steak.
Direct plate order with bistec.
- 2Asking doneness
El bistec, término medio, por favor.
The steak, medium, please.
Término medio pairs with bistec.
- 3Sides
¿El bistec viene con ensalada?
Does the steak come with salad?
Side check for bistec.
Mistakes English speakers make with bistec
Incorrect: La bistec está lista.
Correct: El bistec está listo.
Bistec is masculine. Use el bistec, un bistec, este bistec.
Incorrect: Quiero un steak en inglés.
Correct: Quiero un bistec.
Say bistec on Spanish menus; English steak is widely understood but not the local noun.
Good to know
Bistec is a thin steak cut in many Latin American kitchens, often cooked fast on a plancha. Fancy steakhouses may list cuts by name instead. In Spain you also hear bistec or filete; these pages stay with bistec as the everyday learner word.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Ordering steak at a casual restaurant
ChatPal
¿Pruebas el bistec del día?
Will you try the steak of the day?
You
Sí, un bistec a la plancha.
Yes, a grilled steak.
ChatPal
¿Cómo quieres el bistec?
How do you want the steak?
You
Término medio, por favor.
Medium, 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"Steak" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Steak" in Spanish
Is bistec masculine or feminine?
Masculine: el bistec, un bistec grande. Adjectives often take -o: jugoso, listo.
How do you pronounce bistec?
bees-TEHK with stress on TEHK. No silent letters.
How do I say medium steak?
Bistec término medio. For rare: bistec término rojo or poco hecho, depending on the country.
Is biftec different?
Usually the same food. Bistec is the spelling you will see most in Latin America.
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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