taco
B1Informal, everyday; occasionally culinary/technical.
Definition
Meaning
A traditional Mexican dish consisting of a folded or rolled tortilla filled with various ingredients such as seasoned meat, beans, cheese, lettuce, and salsa.
Informally used to describe any similar folded, rolled, or filled food item, and sometimes used metaphorically to indicate disorganization or a messy situation (e.g., "my life is a taco").
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily refers to Mexican cuisine; in non-Mexican contexts, often implies a Tex-Mex or Americanized version. The plural is 'tacos'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is used identically in both varieties to refer to the Mexican dish. However, it is far more frequently encountered in American English due to geographic and cultural proximity to Mexico.
Connotations
In the US, strongly associated with Mexican-American culture, fast-casual dining, and a common casual meal. In the UK, often perceived more specifically as an 'ethnic' or 'world food' item.
Frequency
High frequency in American English; moderate and increasing in British English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] a taco (eat, make, order, enjoy)[adjective] taco (fish, chicken, crispy, authentic)taco [preposition] (taco with guacamole, taco from a truck)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “life is a taco (slang: chaotic or messy)”
- “taco Tuesday (cultural idiom for a day to eat tacos)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in contexts of the restaurant, food service, and hospitality industries (e.g., 'taco chain expansion', 'taco truck franchise').
Academic
Rare, except in anthropological, cultural, or food studies contexts discussing Mexican cuisine or cultural diffusion.
Everyday
Very common in casual conversation about food, meals, and plans (e.g., 'Let's get tacos for lunch.').
Technical
Used in culinary arts to specify a preparation method and dish type.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We might taco tonight if the pop-up stall is in town.
- He's been tacoing his way across London's street food markets.
American English
- Let's taco before the movie.
- They taco every Tuesday without fail.
adjective
British English
- The taco fillings looked fresh.
- It had a distinct taco flavour.
American English
- We need more taco seasoning.
- It was a real taco Tuesday vibe.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I like chicken tacos.
- We ate tacos for dinner.
- Would you prefer a hard-shell or a soft taco?
- The taco truck on the corner is very popular.
- Having sampled authentic tacos al pastor in Mexico City, the local version seemed bland.
- The company's strategy was to franchise their taco concept nationally.
- The cultural appropriation debate often centres on the commercialisation of foods like the taco.
- His argument unfolded like a poorly made taco, with the main point falling out halfway through.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'TACkling' a tasty meal – a TACO is a folded food you tackle with your hands.
Conceptual Metaphor
FOOD AS EXPERIENCE / MESS AS A TACO (informal).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'tакос' (nonexistent). The Russian translation is 'тако' (tako), a direct borrowing, not a calque. It is not a 'пирожок' or 'блинчик'.
Common Mistakes
- Using plural as 'tacoes' (incorrect; correct plural is 'tacos').
- Mispronouncing /eɪ/ instead of /ɑː/ or /a/ in the first syllable.
- Confusing with similar dishes like burritos or quesadillas.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a common collocation with 'taco' in American English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The correct plural is 'tacos'.
Informally, yes, especially in American English slang (e.g., 'Let's taco'), but it is not standard formal usage.
A taco is typically an open or loosely folded tortilla, while a burrito is a large flour tortilla rolled tightly around its filling, enclosing it completely.
In American English, it's /ˈtɑːkoʊ/ (TAH-koh). In British English, it's often /ˈtakəʊ/ (TA-ko).