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How to compliment the food in Spanish

In many Latino families, food is how love is said out loud. Here's how to say it back, and how to survive the third plate.

Free: get the starter kit with all 10 rescue phrases as a PDF and a checklist for your date.

The first bite

Say something after the first bite, out loud, looking at whoever cooked. Silence can read as "I don't like it".

¡Qué rico!So good!The all-purpose compliment. Works in every country.
¡Está delicioso!It's delicious!
¿Usted lo preparó?Did you make it?Then compliment it again.

Going further

Nunca había probado algo tan rico.I've never tasted anything so good.
Ahora entiendo por qué Ana siempre habla de su comida.Now I understand why Ana always talks about your cooking.Swap in your partner's name. It lands every time.
Está buenísimo.It's really, really good.

Asking for the recipe

Asking her to teach you a family dish is one of the biggest compliments you can give. Expect a date to be set on the spot.

¿Me puede enseñar a prepararlo?Could you teach me how to make it?Prepararla if the dish is feminine, like la sopa.
¿Cuál es el secreto?What's the secret?

Saying yes, and no, to seconds

You will be offered more. Then more again. Take a small first serving so you have room, and when you're done, say no with a compliment attached.

Sí, un poquito más, por favor.Yes, a little more, please.
Muchas gracias, ya comí muchísimo.Thank you so much, I've already eaten so much.
Todo estuvo delicioso, pero ya no puedo más.Everything was delicious, but I can't eat any more.The polite way out. Pat your stomach and smile.
The false friend to avoid: embarazada means pregnant, not embarrassed. Say qué vergüenza or qué pena instead. And for "I'm full", ya no puedo más is the safest choice for everyone.

Offering to help

¿Le ayudo a recoger la mesa?Can I help clear the table?
¿Le ayudo a lavar los platos?Can I help wash the dishes?
No, no, siéntese.No, no, sit down.What you'll probably hear. Offer once more, then let them win.
Free starter kit

Dinner with their family coming up?

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  • All 10 rescue phrases as a PDF, with pronunciation
  • A week-by-week checklist for your date

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Questions

How do you say the food is delicious in Spanish?

¡Está delicioso! or ¡Qué rico! Both work everywhere, and ¡Qué rico! is the one you'll hear most at a family table.

Is it rico or rica?

¡Qué rico! is a fixed expression. When you name the dish, match it: la sopa está muy rica, el pozole está muy rico.

How do I politely say no to more food?

Muchas gracias, ya comí muchísimo, and add a compliment: todo estuvo delicioso. Saying no without praising the food is what sounds rude.

What does embarazada mean?

Pregnant. It's the classic false friend for embarrassed. Use qué vergüenza (how embarrassing) instead.

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