Cacahuete refers to the edible seed (commonly known as a peanut) that grows underground and is popular in various cuisines. It is commonly used in snacks, desserts, and various dishes. In general conversation, cacahuete is frequently used in both oral and written contexts, often related to food discussions, dietary preferences, or recipes.
I love peanuts, especially at snack time.
El cacahuete es un ingrediente fundamental en la salsa de satay.
The peanut is a fundamental ingredient in satay sauce.
No puedo comer cacahuetes porque soy alérgico.
The word cacahuete is not as commonly used in idiomatic expressions as some other terms. However, it may appear in a few expressions, especially concerning finance or health.
I don't have a penny to spend at the cinema.
Me gasté todos mis cacahuetes en la comida.
I spent all my peanuts on food. (Meaning I spent all my money.)
Siempre que veo una oferta, me vuelvo loco como un cacahuete.
The word cacahuete comes from the Nahuatl word "tlālcacahuatl," which means "earth nut." It reflects the indigenous roots of the term, as the peanut is native to the Americas.
In summary, cacahuete is a commonly used term in the Spanish language for peanuts, recognized both in culinary contexts and colloquial speech, with roots linking back to indigenous languages.