"y" and "con"

Question

Is there any difference between the two sentences?

1. Quiero el arroz con pollo. (Is it one dish?)

2. Quiero el arroz y pollo. (Are they two dishes?)

Why isn't there an "el" placed in front of the word "pollo"?

=> Quiero el arroz con/y el pollo.

Answer 1

Quiero el arroz con pollo. (Is it one dish?)

Yes

Quiero el arroz y pollo. (Are they two dishes?)

Possibly, but in this case con and y would mean the same and con would be more common..

Why isn't there an "el" placed in front of the word "pollo"?

The article here is in front of arroz only because this indicates an established plate, so we are really saying Quiero el plato de arroz con pollo, however, it is normally said pollo con arroz (the main food of the dish first).

Not always. We say "arroz con pollo". - DualG, Apr 23, 2013

It must be regional then. In Mexico if you want Paella, you say "Paella" and in an authentic Spanish restaurant it does have seafood among others - 005faa61, Apr 23, 2013

Answer 2

Arroz con pollo is the Latin American version of paella (it does not contain seafood or rabbit). But it does contain saffron or chili powder (paprika) to give it its characteristic yellowish color. The chicken is sauteed first and then added to the yellow rice. Some people add olives, peas, carrots, etc.

If you ask for arroz y pollo. You may get a variety of rice and chicken. It could be a chicken steak with a side of white rice or a chicken stew with rice on the side, just to give you an idea.

I hope this helps!

Answer 3

Think in English:

I want rice with chicken.

I want the rice and the chicken.

What does that tell you?

If it tells you anything, it will have to be the same as in Spanish.