Beans
Use this in the Southern Cone countries like Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay.
This is the standard term in the Caribbean (Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic) and some parts of Spain.
This is the primary word for beans, especially black beans, in Venezuela.
This is the most common term used in Spain.
I want rice with beans, please.
In Venezuela, we eat a lot of beans.
My favorite dish in Chile is beans with noodles.
Beans are a basic ingredient in the Caribbean.
Does this dish have beans?
Frijoles is the most widespread term in Latin America, especially understood in Mexico and Central America. It's a safe default if you're unsure.
The standard term is judías. You might also hear alubias, especially for white beans.
Porotos is the correct and most common word in the Southern Cone.
Caraotas is the word to use, particularly for black beans (caraotas negras), which are a national staple.
Both frijoles (especially for red kidney beans in dishes like 'bandeja paisa') and habichuelas are used. Be aware that 'habichuela' can sometimes refer to green beans here.
Habichuelas is the standard term.
You will hear both frijoles and the slight variation frejoles.
Quiero 'beans'. — Quiero frijoles. — While it seems simple, just using the English word is a common mistake. 'Beans' is one of the most regionally diverse food words in Spanish, so learning the local term is very helpful.
Me gustan los frijoles verdes. — Me gustan los ejotes. (in Mexico) / Me gustan las vainitas. — The words 'frijoles', 'porotos', etc., refer to dried beans (the seed). Green beans have different names, such as 'ejotes' in Mexico or 'vainitas' in many parts of South America.
Using 'frijoles' everywhere. — Using 'porotos' in Argentina or 'caraotas' in Venezuela. — While many people will understand 'frijoles' due to media, using the local term shows respect and avoids confusion. In a market in Chile, asking for 'frijoles' might get you a confused look; 'porotos' is what they use.
Pronouncing 'judías' as 'joo-DEE-ahs'. — Pronouncing it 'hoo-DEE-ahs'. — The Spanish 'j' is pronounced like the 'h' in 'hello', not like the 'j' in 'jungle'. This applies to 'frijoles' (free-HOH-less) as well.
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