Spanish word

tamal

Pronunciation

IPA/taˈmal/

Meaning

  • masculine nountamale

Example

En la fiesta vendían tamales con salsa.

At the party tamales were being sold with salsa.

Illustration for tamal (tamale)

More examples

¿Cuántos tamales vas a llevar?

How many tamales are you going to bring?

Core concept

Steamed or boiled corn-masa packet often filled and leaf-wrapped.

Common phrases

  • unos tamales de rajas

    tamales with strips of chile

  • hacer tamales

    make tamales

  • pedir tamales para llevar

    order tamales to go

Similar words

arepa: Thick cornmeal cake cooked on a griddle, eaten plain or split for fillings.
gordita: Thick corn-dough portion split or cut open to make a pocket and stuffed with savory fillings.
pupusa: Hand-formed flat corn cake with filling enclosed and cooked on a griddle.

Definition in Spanish

Masa de maíz, con frecuencia rellena y envuelta en hojas, cocida al vapor o hervida.

Word origin

Borrowed from Nahuatl tamalli 'wrapped food', the word entered Spanish during the colonial period as tamal and plural tamales.

Usage tips

  • Different regions use corn husks or banana leaves and different fillings, so asking ¿Cómo los preparan? or ¿Qué llevan dentro? clarifies what to expect.

Related words

  • tamalerotamale makernoun
  • tamaladatamale-making gatheringnoun

Word lists with this word