Food is one of the happiest ways to connect with another culture. You can learn a new word, try a new flavor, and start a conversation—all at the same table.

In Colombia, arepas are a familiar part of everyday food culture. They come in many styles, from simple corn cakes served alongside breakfast to versions filled or topped with cheese and other ingredients. Different regions and families have their own favorites.

For Spanish learners, talking about food is especially useful because the questions are real. You can ask what someone likes, explain what you want, and politely request something to eat.

First, Meet the Arepa

An arepa is typically made from corn dough and cooked on a griddle, pan, or another hot surface. In Colombia, the preparation varies widely. Some are thin and simple; others are thicker or include cheese.

A fun family question is:

¿Has probado una arepa? — Have you tried an arepa?

If the answer is no, you can say:

¡Tenemos que probar una! — We have to try one!

You don't need to prepare an elaborate Colombian meal to start exploring. A simple arepa and a few new words can be enough.

Five Useful Food Conversations

1. Ask what someone likes

¿Te gustan las arepas? — Do you like arepas?

Sí, me encantan. — Yes, I love them.

Prefiero el pan. — I prefer bread.

Notice that ¿Te gustan...? is used here with the plural word arepas. With one arepa, you can ask ¿Te gusta la arepa?

2. Say what you want

Quiero una arepa con queso, por favor. — I want an arepa with cheese, please.

Quiero agua. — I want water.

Quiero probar algo nuevo. — I want to try something new.

For a more polite request, try Quisiera una arepa, por favor — I'd like an arepa, please.

3. Ask what's inside

¿Qué tiene? — What's in it?

Tiene queso. — It has cheese.

¿Tiene carne? — Does it have meat?

This question is useful at restaurants, markets, and family gatherings.

4. Describe the taste

¡Qué rico! — How delicious!

Está delicioso. — It's delicious.

Está caliente. — It's hot.

Está dulce. — It's sweet.

In Colombia, ¡Qué rico! is a particularly handy expression for something that tastes wonderful. You might also hear it when someone is excited about a pleasant experience.

5. Offer to share

¿Quieres probar? — Do you want to try some?

Sí, gracias. — Yes, thank you.

No, gracias. — No, thank you.

¿Compartimos? — Shall we share?

These are little sentences, but they make a conversation feel welcoming.

A Colombian Expression Worth Knowing: ¿Me regalas...?

If you visit Colombia, you may hear someone at a counter say:

¿Me regalas una arepa, por favor?

Literally, regalar means “to give as a gift.” But in this context, ¿Me regalas...? can be a friendly, polite way to request an item you're purchasing. It does not mean you expect the food for free.

For learners, Quisiera... and ¿Me puede dar...? are also excellent polite options.

Try a Family Café Role-Play

You don't need a restaurant to practice. Set up a pretend café at the kitchen table. One person is the customer; another takes the order.

Cliente: Hola, buenos días.
Vendedor: ¡Buenos días! ¿Qué desea?
Cliente: Quisiera una arepa con queso, por favor.
Vendedor: Claro. ¿Algo para tomar?
Cliente: Agua, por favor.
Vendedor: Aquí tiene.
Cliente: ¡Muchas gracias!
Vendedor: Con mucho gusto.

Switch roles and try ordering something different. Younger children can start with just Quiero..., por favor, and gracias.

Three Questions for the Dinner Table

After trying a new food, ask:

  • ¿Te gustó? — Did you like it?
  • ¿Cuál fue tu parte favorita? — What was your favorite part?
  • ¿Lo comerías otra vez? — Would you eat it again?

The answers don't have to be perfect. Even Sí, me gustó (“Yes, I liked it”) is a meaningful step toward conversation.

Language Is More Than Vocabulary

When children and adults learn Spanish through food, they are learning how to show curiosity, ask politely, express preferences, and connect with other people. A conversation about an arepa can become a conversation about someone's family, hometown, or favorite memory.

At Hola Let's Go, Colombian tutor Anlly Nelson helps children, teens, and adults build practical Spanish for real life. Visit holaletsgo.com to learn about lessons and book a free 15-minute consultation.

Today's challenge: Ask someone ¿Cuál es tu comida favorita? and see where the conversation goes.