mondongo

tripe stew

noun mon-DON-goh Rare

Usage Note

Mondongo refers to a hearty stew made from cleaned bovine or porcine stomach and intestines, popular across Latin America and the Caribbean. In Spain the same dish is more often called callos. The word's origin is disputed — some link it to West African languages brought over during the colonial period, which would explain its predominance in Latin American rather than Iberian Spanish. It is a staple comfort food in countries like Colombia, Peru, and Puerto Rico.

Examples

"Mi abuela prepara el mondongo los domingos."

Natural Translation

My grandmother makes tripe stew on Sundays.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

How to Introduce Yourself in Spanish: 12 Real Phrases

Introduce yourself in Spanish with 12 ready-to-speak phrases — name, origin, age, and job — in both tú and usted, with the verb traps that trip up beginners.

June 9, 2026 5 min read

SpanishNow

Por vs Para in Spanish: One Mental Model, No Acronyms

Por looks backward at cause and path; para looks forward at goal and destination. Master por vs para in Spanish with one mental model — no acronyms needed.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

The Spanish Cheek Kiss: Greeting Etiquette by Country

Two kisses in Spain, one in most of Latin America. Master the Spanish cheek kiss greeting — which cheek first, the air-kiss mechanics, and when to shake hands.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

You're Welcome in Spanish: Beyond De Nada

You're welcome in Spanish is more than de nada. Learn con gusto, no hay de qué, a la orden and more — and which to use by region and how formal the moment is.

June 3, 2026 6 min read