How to Ask for a Specific Number of Cheese Slices in Spanish at the Market
Learn to request an exact number of cheese slices, specify thickness, and name the type of cheese in Spanish.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
At a market or deli counter in Latin America, you often need to ask for a specific number of cheese slices, not just a piece. This lesson teaches you to say how many slices you want, ask for them thin or thick, and name the type of cheese. You will use polite, precise Spanish that works in Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and other Spanish-speaking regions. The focus is on the verb cortar (to cut) and the noun rebanada (slice), with practical variations for different countries.
By the end, you can…
- ask for a specific number of cheese slices using a polite question.
- specify the thickness of the slices (thin, thick, medium).
- name the type of cheese I want and ask for it by weight if needed.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
¿Me corta 10 rebanadas?
Can you cut me 10 slices?
meh KOR-tah DYEZ reh-bah-NAH-dahs
Use this at a cheese counter. The verb cortar is polite and common. In Spain, you might say '¿Me corta 10 lonchas?' but rebanadas is understood in most places.
Delgadas, por favor.
Thin, please.
del-GAH-dahs por fah-VOR
Use after stating the number. The adjective agrees with rebanadas (feminine plural). For thick slices, say 'Gruesas, por favor.'
¿Me da 5 rebanadas de queso fresco?
Can you give me 5 slices of fresh cheese?
meh dah SEEN-koh reh-bah-NAH-dahs deh KEH-soh FRES-koh
Use dar (to give) as an alternative to cortar. Queso fresco is a common fresh cheese in Mexico and Central America.
¿Me lo puede cortar en rebanadas delgadas?
Can you cut it into thin slices for me?
meh loh PWEH-deh kor-TAR en reh-bah-NAH-dahs del-GAH-dahs
Use this when you are pointing at a specific piece of cheese. The pronoun lo refers to the cheese.
¿Cuánto cuesta el queso manchego?
How much does manchego cheese cost?
KWAHN-toh KWEHS-tah el KEH-soh mahn-CHEH-goh
Ask this before ordering to know the price per kilo or per slice. In some markets, cheese is sold by weight, not by slice.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is '¿Me corta + [number] + rebanadas?' or '¿Me da + [number] + rebanadas de + [type of cheese]?' The verb is in the present tense used as a polite request. For example: '¿Me corta 8 rebanadas?' (Can you cut me 8 slices?) or '¿Me da 6 rebanadas de queso panela?' (Can you give me 6 slices of panela cheese?). To specify thickness, add an adjective after rebanadas: 'rebanadas delgadas' (thin slices), 'rebanadas gruesas' (thick slices), 'rebanadas medianas' (medium slices). The adjective must agree in gender and number with rebanadas, so always feminine plural: delgadas, gruesas, medianas.
When to use it
Use these phrases at a market stall, a deli counter, or a cheese shop. Start with a greeting like 'Buenos días' or 'Buenas tardes'. Then ask for the number of slices. If you want a specific type, name it: 'de queso fresco', 'de queso manchego', 'de queso de cabra'. If the vendor sells by weight, they may ask '¿Cuánto quiere?' (How much do you want?). You can answer with a weight: 'Medio kilo, por favor' (Half a kilo, please). In Argentina, you might hear 'fetas' instead of 'rebanadas' for slices. For example: '¿Me corta 10 fetas de queso?' is common in Buenos Aires. In Spain, 'lonchas' is more common than 'rebanadas' for cheese slices.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Buenos días, ¿me corta 10 rebanadas de queso fresco?
Good morning, can you cut me 10 slices of fresh cheese?BWEH-nos DEE-ahs, meh KOR-tah DYEZ reh-bah-NAH-dahs deh KEH-soh FRES-kohClaro, ¿las quiere delgadas o gruesas?
Of course, do you want them thin or thick?KLAH-roh, lahs KYEH-reh del-GAH-dahs oh GRWEH-sahsDelgadas, por favor. ¿Cuánto cuesta?
Thin, please. How much does it cost?del-GAH-dahs, por fah-VOR. KWAHN-toh KWEHS-tahSon 30 pesos. ¿Algo más?
It's 30 pesos. Anything else?sohn TREIN-tah PEH-sohs. AHL-goh mahsA little context goes a long way
In many Latin American markets, cheese is sold by weight, not by slice. If you ask for a specific number of slices, the vendor may weigh the cheese and charge accordingly. It is polite to greet first and use 'por favor' and 'gracias'. In Argentina, 'fetas' is the common word for slices; in Spain, 'lonchas' is used for cheese and cold cuts. In Mexico, 'rebanadas' is standard. Always use the polite usted form with vendors unless you know them well.
One thing to watch for
Using the masculine adjective 'delgados' with 'rebanadas' because you think of 'queso' as masculine.
Try this instead: The adjective must agree with 'rebanadas', which is feminine plural. Say 'rebanadas delgadas', not 'rebanadas delgados'. For example: '¿Me corta 10 rebanadas delgadas?' is correct.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you ask for 8 thin slices of manchego cheese?
Show a sample answer
¿Me corta 8 rebanadas delgadas de queso manchego?
This uses the polite question form with the number, adjective, and type of cheese. You could also say '¿Me da 8 rebanadas delgadas de queso manchego?' Both are correct.
2What word might you use instead of 'rebanadas' in Argentina?
Show a sample answer
Fetas.
In Argentina, 'fetas' is the common term for slices of cheese or cold cuts. For example: '¿Me corta 10 fetas de queso?' is perfectly understood.
3How do you ask for thick slices instead of thin ones?
Show a sample answer
Gruesas, por favor.
This is the feminine plural adjective that agrees with 'rebanadas'. You can also say '¿Me las corta gruesas?' if you have already mentioned the slices.
To ask for a specific number of cheese slices in Spanish, use '¿Me corta [number] rebanadas?' and add 'delgadas' or 'gruesas' for thickness. Remember to name the cheese and use polite greetings. Regional words like 'fetas' or 'lonchas' are useful to recognize.
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