Pronunciation / Nomenclature

Yerba is a corruption of the Spanish word hierba, which means “herb". Maté derives from derives from the Quichua Indian word "matí" that names the gourd or cup. (Ilex_paraguariensis Nomenclature - wikipedia)

Depending on the country, the accent, the twist in translation and time period here are a few ways it has and is being called: mahe’ tā, yerba mahtay, erva matay, yar ba mat ay, Yerba maté, maté, erva mate, congonha, erveira, Paraguay cayi, Paraguay tea, South American holly, matéteestrauch, erva-verdadeira, St. Bartholomew’s tea, Jesuit’s tea, hervea, caminú, kkiro, kali chaye, Drink of health and friendship, Elixir of the Jesuits, Drink of the Gods, the green gold of the Indios, South American herb.

Some Guaraní words related to Mate:

• Barbacuá: from mbarambacuá = ma (pile) + ra (euphonic) + mbacuá (toasted or roasted thing)

• Caä: Yerba Mate

• Caá-guará: Mate drinker

• Caá-i-guá: Mate gourd (literally: container of the water of Yerba Mate)

• Caá-u-ei: thirst of Mate

• Mboroviré: Yerba Mate slightly "canchada" (desiccated and broken)

• Sapeca, sambeca or sapeá: pocá, peá or mbecá (to open) + za or sá (eye) = to open the globules or vesicles of the Yerba Mate by the heating process

• Ticuá cá ay: "cebar el Mate" (literally: to throw water in the hole)