fajita
B1-B2Informal, culinary, everyday dining
Definition
Meaning
A Mexican dish consisting of grilled strips of spiced meat (typically chicken, beef, or prawns) and vegetables, served on a soft tortilla which is usually rolled up and eaten by hand.
The term can refer to both the seasoned, grilled meat itself and the assembled dish involving tortillas and accompaniments (like peppers, onions, salsa, guacamole, sour cream). It also describes a style of serving where sizzling meat and vegetables are brought to the table on a hot skillet or metal plate for diners to assemble themselves.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word is a borrowing from Spanish (literally 'little strip' or 'little belt', diminutive of 'faja'). In English, it refers specifically to the prepared dish, not just the meat. It is often associated with casual dining, Tex-Mex cuisine, and interactive meals.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Conceptually identical, but in the US, 'fajita' is a staple of Tex-Mex and chain restaurants (e.g., Chili's). In the UK, it is also common but may be perceived slightly more as an 'Americanised' Mexican dish. The 'fajita kit' (pre-packaged tortillas, seasoning, salsa) is a common supermarket product in both regions.
Connotations
In both: casual, fun, family-friendly, sharing meal. In the US, strong association with Tex-Mex and grill culture. In the UK, often part of 'fakeaway' or easy home-cooking nights.
Frequency
High frequency in both varieties, especially in contexts of eating out or home cooking kits.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] a fajita (order, make, eat)[adjective] fajita (sizzling, spicy, chicken)fajita with [noun] (fajita with guacamole)fajita [noun] (fajita night, fajita kit)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Fajita Friday (informal term for a regular casual meal night)”
- “sizzle like a fajita (humorous description of something very hot)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in restaurant/food industry contexts (e.g., 'fajita sales increased', 'launching a new fajita line').
Academic
Rare, possibly in culinary, cultural, or linguistic studies discussing loanwords or food culture.
Everyday
Very common in social and domestic contexts (planning meals, dining out, shopping).
Technical
Used in culinary arts, food preparation, and menu engineering.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We're going to fajita tonight.
- They fajita'd their way through three platters.
American English
- Let's fajita for dinner.
- We fajita every Tuesday.
adjective
British English
- fajita-style chicken
- a fajita feast
American English
- fajita seasoning
- fajita night
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I like chicken fajitas.
- We eat fajitas on Friday.
- Could we order the beef fajitas to share?
- I bought a fajita kit from the supermarket.
- The sizzling platter of fajitas arrived with an array of fresh toppings.
- Marinating the meat overnight is the key to authentic fajita flavour.
- The restaurant's signature dish deconstructs the classic fajita, presenting the components as an elegant, interactive platter.
- Fajitas have evolved from humble Tex-Mex origins to become a global casual dining staple.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'FAiry' (fa) serving you a 'HEATed' (jita/hiːtə) sizzling dish. Fa-HEAT-a. Fajitas are served hot!
Conceptual Metaphor
FOOD IS AN EVENT / INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT (e.g., 'fajita night', 'make your own').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate as 'маленький пояс' (literal). It is a culinary term: 'фахитас' (transliteration) or described as 'мясо с лепёшкой'.
Common Mistakes
- Mispronouncing as /fæˈdʒaɪ.tə/ (hard 'j').
- Using 'fajita' to refer to a hard-shell taco.
- Misspelling as 'fahita', 'fajitas' (plural) when referring to the singular dish concept.
Practice
Quiz
What is the core characteristic of a fajita?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While both use tortillas, a fajita specifically refers to grilled, sliced meat/vegetables served sizzling, often with a DIY assembly. Tacos can have various fillings (ground meat, fish) and often use crisp shells or small soft tortillas, and are pre-assembled.
Yes. 'Vegetable fajita' or 'mushroom fajita' are common, using grilled vegetables or meat substitutes as the main filling.
Because it is a Spanish loanword. In Spanish, the letter 'j' is pronounced as a voiceless velar fricative, similar to the 'ch' in Scottish 'loch' or a harsh 'h' sound.
Both are used. 'A fajita' can refer to a single serving or the dish concept. 'Fajitas' (plural) is very common because the meal typically involves multiple tortillas and strips of meat/veg. E.g., 'Let's have fajitas.' / 'I'll have a chicken fajita.'