The verb "trocear" means to cut or chop something into smaller pieces or chunks. It is commonly used in culinary contexts where ingredients need to be prepared by cutting them down into manageable sizes for cooking or serving. The frequency of use is medium, primarily in both oral and written contexts, with a slight tendency toward oral speech particularly in cooking instructions and recipes.
It is important to chop the vegetables before cooking them.
Asegúrate de trocear bien la carne para que se cocine uniformemente.
Make sure to cut the meat into small pieces so that it cooks evenly.
Antes de mezclar, necesitas trocear el pan en trozos pequeños.
The word "trocear" is not commonly found in idiomatic expressions; however, it is often used in practical cooking phrases or contexts involving the act of cutting or preparing food. Here are several expressions where "trocear" might appear or relate to the process:
Chopping for better: A chef knows that cutting ingredients properly can make the whole dish taste much better.
Trocear en cubos: Es clave trocear en cubos para una ensalada de frutas.
Dicing into cubes: It is key to cube for a fruit salad.
Trocear y mezclar: Primero hay que trocear las nueces antes de mezclar la masa.
The word "trocear" comes from the noun "trozo," which means "piece" or "chunk." It is derived from the Latin "tractus," meaning "to pull" or "to draw," which implies breaking something down into smaller segments.
Synonyms: - Cortar (to cut) - Picar (to chop/dice) - Rebanar (to slice)
Antonyms: - Unir (to join) - Mantener (to keep) - Conservar (to preserve)
Through this breakdown, we see that "trocear" plays a vital role in cooking and food preparation, reflecting its practical usage and meaning in the Spanish language.