A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "I'd like the chicken" in Spanish
Learn how to order chicken in Spanish with this essential restaurant phrase, complete with pronunciation, alternatives, and cultural tips.
Me gustaría el pollo.
meh goo-stah-REE-ah ehl POH-yohneutral
Spanish TTS · 0:01
Use this phrase when you are ready to order your main dish from a server at a restaurant, cafe, or diner. It works perfectly when the server asks what you would like to have, or when you want to politely state your choice from the menu.
Alternatives
- Quiero el pollowhen you want to sound more direct and casual in an informal setting
- Para mí, el pollowhen ordering quickly in a group or at a casual diner
- Voy a pedir el pollowhen stating your final decision to the server
Ways to get it wrong
Using 'gustar' like 'like'
Avoid saying 'Yo gusto el pollo', as the verb gustar means 'to be pleasing to' and requires the indirect object pronoun 'me'.
Mispronouncing the double L
Do not pronounce 'pollo' with an English 'L' sound; the double 'll' sounds like the 'y' in 'yes'.
A small cultural note
In Latin America, 'pollo' specifically refers to chicken as food, while 'gallina' refers to the live hen, though 'caldo de gallina' (hen broth) is a popular traditional dish in many regions.
Frequently asked
Do I say quiero or me gustaria when ordering food in Spanish?
Both are perfectly acceptable, but 'me gustaría' is slightly softer and more polite, equivalent to 'I would like'. 'Quiero' is more direct, like 'I want', but is not considered rude in Spanish-speaking cultures when used with a pleasant tone.
How do you pronounce pollo in Mexico?
In Mexico, the double 'll' in 'pollo' is pronounced like the English letter 'y' in 'yellow'. Make sure to say 'POH-yoh' and avoid pronouncing it like the English word 'pole'.
Is me gustaria too formal for a casual restaurant?
Not at all, it strikes a perfect balance of politeness without sounding overly stiff or pretentious. You can safely use it in everything from a street food stall to a high-end restaurant.
