bombilla: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowSpecialized / Cultural
Quick answer
What does “bombilla” mean?
A metal drinking straw with a filter, traditionally used for drinking yerba mate.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A metal drinking straw with a filter, traditionally used for drinking yerba mate.
Any specialized drinking straw or pipette; in some contexts, a small bulb or light fixture (primarily in Spanish usage).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference. The term is equally rare and specialized in both varieties.
Connotations
Evokes South American cultural practices, specifically mate drinking rituals.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general English. Slightly higher in texts related to Latin American culture, food, or travel.
Grammar
How to Use “bombilla” in a Sentence
use a bombilla to drinkpass the bombillathe bombilla is made of [material]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially in context of importing gourmet foods or cultural items.
Academic
Used in anthropology, cultural studies, or food history papers discussing South American traditions.
Everyday
Almost exclusively used by people familiar with yerba mate culture.
Technical
Not applicable.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bombilla”
- Misspelling as 'bombila' or 'bomilla'.
- Using it to refer to any straw.
- Pronouncing it with a strong 'bomb' sound at the start.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a loanword from Spanish used in English when specifically referring to the mate-drinking straw.
It is typically rinsed with hot water and occasionally scrubbed with a small brush to clear the filter holes.
While designed for mate, it could theoretically be used for other loose-leaf teas, but this is not common.
Traditional ones are made from silver or alpaca, but modern ones are often stainless steel or nickel-plated.
A metal drinking straw with a filter, traditionally used for drinking yerba mate.
Bombilla is usually specialized / cultural in register.
Bombilla: in British English it is pronounced /bɒmˈbiː(j)ə/, and in American English it is pronounced /bɑmˈbiː(j)ə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'little bomb'? No! A 'bombilla' is the opposite of explosive—it's for sipping mate peacefully.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CONDUIT FOR TRADITION (channeling culture and social connection).
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'bombilla' primarily used for?