Spanish word of the day: Palomitas

What does palomitas mean?

Palomitas (feminine plural noun) – The Spanish word for popcorn, those light, fluffy kernels that pop and expand when heated. Palomitas are a beloved snack in all Spanish-speaking countries, but you might hear them by many different names depending on where you are.

Example sentences with palomitas

• Vamos al cine y compramos palomitas para la película.
  🍿 We’re going to the movies and we bought popcorn for the film.

• Me encanta comer palomitas mientras veo una serie.
  📺 I love eating popcorn while watching a series.

• ¿Quieres palomitas con mantequilla o saladas?
  🧈🧂 Do you want popcorn with butter or salted?

Palomitas in context

One of the fascinating things about Spanish is how a simple snack like popcorn can have so many names across different regions. While palomitas de maíz (or just palomitas) is widely understood and used, especially in Mexico and Spain, many countries have their own unique terms.

In Argentina, you might hear “pochoclos” or “pororó,” in Chile “cabritas,” in Colombia “crispetas,” in Ecuador “canguil,” in Guatemala “poporopo,” in Venezuela “cotufas,” and in Peru “canchitas,” among others. These regional words reflect local culture and sometimes mimic the sound of popping kernels, making popcorn a snack with many names throughout the Spanish-speaking world.