birria: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1 (Academic) / C1-C2 (General)Colloquial / Culinary
Quick answer
What does “birria” mean?
A traditional Mexican stew, originally from Jalisco, made from goat or beef, slow-cooked with chili peppers and spices.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A traditional Mexican stew, originally from Jalisco, made from goat or beef, slow-cooked with chili peppers and spices.
By extension, it can refer to the meat prepared in this way, often served shredded. In contemporary slang (especially in US contexts), it has broadened to describe anything that is exceptionally good, desirable, or of high quality, akin to 'fire' or 'amazing'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, the word is almost exclusively known in its culinary sense, typically encountered in specialized Mexican restaurants or food writing. In the US, both the culinary and contemporary slang meanings are current, with the slang being more prevalent in multicultural urban areas and online.
Connotations
In the UK, connotations are purely gastronomic, often associated with authenticity and specific cuisine. In the US, connotations can be gastronomic but also carry a positive, emphatic, informal value judgment in slang.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general British English. Low-to-medium frequency in American English, concentrated in food-related contexts and specific demographics using internet slang.
Grammar
How to Use “birria” in a Sentence
[Subject] eat/have/order [birria][Birria] is served with [consommé/tortillas]That [noun] is birria! (slang)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “birria” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- His new track is absolutely birria! (slang)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in the restaurant/food industry (e.g., 'adding birria to the menu boosted sales').
Academic
Used in anthropology, cultural studies, or gastronomy papers discussing Mexican cuisine.
Everyday
Used when discussing food, eating at Mexican restaurants, or in youth slang to express strong approval.
Technical
Used in culinary arts for a specific cooking technique and dish composition.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “birria”
- Misspelling: 'birra', 'biria', 'birriya'.
- Mispronunciation: stressing the first syllable (BIR-ia).
- Using the slang meaning in formal contexts or with audiences unfamiliar with it.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a loanword from Mexican Spanish that is used in English contexts, primarily to refer to the specific dish. It is found in English dictionaries.
It is not recommended, as this slang meaning is primarily American and may cause confusion. In the UK, it is overwhelmingly understood as a type of food.
The most traditional meat is goat (chivo or cabrito), though beef (especially chuck roast) is also very common in modern preparations.
In American English, it's typically /bəˈri.ə/ (buh-REE-uh). In British English, it may be /bɪˈriː.ə/ (bi-REE-uh). The stress is always on the second syllable.
A traditional Mexican stew, originally from Jalisco, made from goat or beef, slow-cooked with chili peppers and spices.
Birria is usually colloquial / culinary in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[That song/those shoes are] straight birria! (slang, US)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a BEE (beef) and a RAM (goat) having a fiery RIAA (sounds like 'ria') award ceremony in a stew pot. Birria = beef/goat + fiery celebration in a pot.
Conceptual Metaphor
QUALITY IS SPICINESS/FIRE (slang): Something excellent is metaphorically like a delicious, complex, and 'fiery' stew.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'birria' be LEAST appropriate?