Pedir cantidades en el bar: tapa, media ración o ración

“Ración” is a full, large portion, usually big enough for several people. In bars it’s very common to order a “ración” (for example, “ración de tortilla”) and share it “para compartir”. Review the tapas culture section and the example with “ración de tortilla” and sharing tapas.

“Tapa” is a small portion/snack, often served with a drink (“pequeñas porciones de comida”). If you just want to try a little, you usually ask for “una tapa”. See the tapas section about small portions and how “ir de tapeo” works.

In the Basque Country these snacks are usually called “pintxos” (from the stick: “pincho”). They’re like “relatives” of tapas, often served on a piece of bread with a toothpick. See the section about pintxos and how the word comes from the little stick (“pincho”).

In bars a typical question from the server is “¿Qué te pongo?” (“What can I get you?”). The client answers in the same style: “Ponme… / ¿Nos pones…?”. So “¿Nos pones una media ración…?” sounds very natural. Review the formula “¿Qué te pongo?” and “Ponme…” in everyday Spanish when ordering.

With uncountable nouns in Spanish, you use the structure “un poco de + sustantivo incontable”. “Pan” is uncountable here, so you say “un poco de pan”.

When going out for tapas (tapeo), it’s very normal to order dishes “para compartir”. In this context, “una ración…” sounds natural. In the culture section you’ll see how people often share “raciones” and tapas (example with “pedir tapas para compartir”).