Spanish Conversation · Level 98
59 words
Spanish word
picotear
Pronunciation
IPA/pikoteˈaɾ/
Meaning
- verbsnack
Example
¿Tú también picoteas entre comidas?
Do you also snack between meals?
More examples
Evita picotear antes de la cena para tener apetito.
Avoid snacking before dinner to have an appetite.
Core concept
A bird pecking small pieces of food.
Common phrases
picotear entre comidas
snack between meals
picotear un poco
nibble a little
picotear algo
snack on something
Similar words
picar: Takes small nibbles or bites as a light, quick snack between meals or pauses.
merendar: Has a light snack or small meal in the afternoon or at a customary snack time.
comer: Eats a meal in the normal way, consuming enough food to satisfy hunger.
Definition in Spanish
Dar pequeños bocados o probar alimentos de manera intermitente, normalmente sin intención de saciarse por completo.
Word origin
The word comes from pico "beak" plus -ear, with the image of a bird pecking evolving into the idea of trying small amounts of food intermittently.
Usage tips
- Commonly used to invite casual grazing at bars or gatherings, so it often signals sharing small tastes rather than having a proper meal.
Other meanings
- peckverb
- pick atverb
- nibbleverb
Opposites
- ayunarfastverb
Related words
- picoteosnackingnoun
- picoteadorsnackernoun