Breakdown of Un pincho de tortilla, por favor.
de
of
un
a, an, some
por favor
please
la tortilla
the Spanish omelette
el pincho
the pincho (bar snack, often on bread)
Questions & Answers about Un pincho de tortilla, por favor.
Wait, isn't a tortilla a Mexican flatbread?
In Spain, a tortilla usually refers to a Spanish omelette (tortilla de patatas), which is a thick, classic dish made with eggs, potatoes, and often onions. The Mexican flatbread you are thinking of shares the same name but is a completely different food.
What exactly is a pincho? Is it the same as a tapa?
A pincho is a small portion of food, originally named because it was typically pierced with a toothpick to a piece of bread. While similar to a tapa, a pincho is usually something you specifically order and pay for, whereas a tapa is sometimes given for free with a drink in parts of Spain. A pincho de tortilla specifically means a single slice of the omelette.
Why isn't there a verb like 'I would like' in this sentence?
Ordering at a bar or cafe in Spain is usually very direct. Simply stating the food or drink you want and adding por favor is completely polite, natural, and very common. You do not need to use longer polite phrases like me gustaría (I would like) to sound respectful.
Why do we use de between pincho and tortilla?
In Spanish, you cannot place two nouns right next to each other to make a description like you can in English (for example, saying 'omelette slice' or 'cheese sandwich'). Instead, you link them with de (of) to show what the portion consists of, literally translating to 'a slice of omelette'.
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