Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Steak in Spanish: Bistec, Filete, Bife, and More
Bistec · noun (masculine) · bees-TEK
Bistec is the standard Spanish word for steak, adapted from the English word beefsteak. Different countries use distinct terms for various cuts and preparations.
bees-TEK
Pedí un bistec con papas fritas.
I ordered a steak with french fries.
Steak in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for steak, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| bistec | steak | bees-TEK | Default, widely understood |
| filete | steak | Spain, a cut of meat | |
| bife | steak | Argentina, Uruguay | |
| churrasco | steak | grilled steak, Southern Cone |
How Native Speakers Use Bistec
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
At a restaurant
Me gustaría un bistec a término medio, por favor.
I would like a medium steak, please.
Ordering steak at a sit-down restaurant.
Argentine barbecue
En Buenos Aires, el bife de chorizo es el corte más popular.
In Buenos Aires, the sirloin steak is the most popular cut.
Discussing Argentina's famous beef culture.
Spanish dining
El filete de ternera viene con ensalada y patatas.
The veal steak comes with salad and potatoes.
Reading a menu at a restaurant in Spain.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Bistec
Wrong word for grilled steak
Incorrect: Quiero un bistec a la parrilla. (in Argentina)
Correct: Quiero un churrasco / bife a la parrilla.
In Argentina and Uruguay, bistec is uncommon. Locals say bife or churrasco when referring to grilled steak.
Confusing filete with fillet
Incorrect: Un filete de pescado es un steak.
Correct: Un filete de pescado is a fish fillet, not a steak.
Filete can mean both steak (beef) and fillet (fish) depending on context. Specify the protein to avoid confusion.
Lock in Steak Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Bistec used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using bistec in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Pedí un bistec con papas fritas. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Steak in Spanish
- Where does the word bistec come from?
- Bistec is a phonetic adaptation of the English word beefsteak. It entered Spanish in the 19th century and is now standard across Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
- How do I say rare, medium, and well-done in Spanish?
- Poco hecho or rojo means rare, término medio means medium, and bien cocido or bien hecho means well-done. Phrasing can vary slightly by country.
- Is churrasco the same as steak?
- Churrasco specifically refers to grilled or barbecued steak, especially in the Southern Cone. It implies a cooking method, while bistec or bife refers to the cut itself.