171 Delectable Phrases for Meals in Spanish (and How To Use Them)
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Spain, Mexico, and different Spanish-speaking international locations are gastronomic locations, making it important that guests can categorical their likes and dislikes and order meals in Spanish. And each drink and meals in Spanish gives a brand new alternative to construct fluency, offering frequent floor that may assist spark dialog with any Spanish speaker.
Whether or not sharing tapas with associates in Seville or savoring ceviche in Lima, studying Spanish by means of Rosetta Stone may also help you speak about la comida (meals) in real-life conditions. Via interactive classes and immersive studying experiences, you possibly can construct on the essential Spanish meals phrases you’ll be taught on this information.
Primary alimentos (meals) in Spanish
Meals vocabulary in Spanish is the inspiration of many language abilities, like speaking about what you eat or following a recipe. It permits in-depth Spanish grammar apply, providing you with sensible and genuine context to apply conjugation and verb tenses in Spanish.
Studying to talk about meals can also be a good way to apply noun-adjective settlement, probably the most necessary Spanish grammar guidelines for each learner to know.
The beneath classes of Spanish meals and drinks may also help get you began!
Widespread frutas (fruits) in Spanish
Visiting puestos de frutas (fruit stalls) is a part of every day life in lots of Latin American international locations, particularly people who boast an abundance of tropical fruit. Right here is a few important Spanish meals vocabulary that will help you purchase fruta fresca (contemporary fruit) from an area vendor:
Spanish | English |
el aguacate | the avocado |
el arándano | the blueberry |
la banana | the banana |
el coco | the coconut |
el damasco | the apricot |
el durazno | the peach |
la guayaba | the guava |
el figo | the fig |
la frambuesa | the raspberry |
la fresa | the strawberry |
el kiwi | the kiwi |
la lima* | the lime |
el limón* | the lemon |
el mango | the mango |
el/la maracuyá | the fervour fruit |
el melón | the melon |
el melocotón | the peach |
el membrillo | the quince |
la manzana | the apple |
la mora | the blackberry |
la naranja | the orange |
la nectarina | the nectarine |
la papaya | the papaya |
la pera | the pear |
la piña | the pineapple |
la pitaya | the dragon fruit |
el plátano | the banana/the plantain |
la sandía | the watermelon |
la toronja | the grapefruit |
las uvas | the grapes |
*In some Spanish-speaking international locations, la lima means “lemon” and el limón means “lime.”
As with different frequent Spanish nouns, meals in Spanish might be singular or plural, and plural nouns will nearly all the time finish in –s or –es.
For instance, when speaking to a fruit vendor you may use the plural types to ask:
- ¿Tiene mangos maduros? = Do you could have ripe mangoes?
- ¿Cuanto valen los aguacates? = How a lot are the avocados?
Record of verduras (greens) in Spanish
Greens are a vital part of the South American weight-reduction plan. Studying the commonest ones will aid you navigate menus and perceive native delicacies.
Spanish | English |
el ajo | the garlic |
la alcachofa | the artichoke |
la berenjena | the eggplant |
el brócoli | the broccoli |
la cebolla | the onion |
la calabaza | the squash |
el/la coliflor | the cauliflower |
el champiñón | the mushroom |
el chile | the chili pepper |
el espárrago | the asparagus |
la espinaca | the spinach |
la lechuga | the lettuce |
el maíz | the corn |
la papa* | the potato |
el pepino | the cucumber |
el pimiento | the bell pepper |
el puerro | the leek |
el rábano | the radish |
la remolacha | the beet |
el tomate | the tomato |
la zanahoria | the carrot |
* “Potato” interprets as patata in Spain.
For those who’re un quisquilloso con la comida (a choosy eater), you should use this vocabulary to specific your distaste for sure greens:
- No me gusta la berenjena. = I don’t like eggplant.
- Odio el sabor del espárrago. = I hate the style of asparagus.
Important Spanish vocabulary for carne (meat) and mariscos (seafood)
Lots of Spain’s hottest dishes are made with meat or seafood. Segovia’s cochinillo asado (roasted suckling pig) is a tasty primary dish whereas Andalusia’s gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp) function a tasty appetizer.
Spanish | English |
el atún | the tuna |
el bacalao | the cod |
el bistec | the steak |
el calamar | the squid |
el camarón | the shrimp |
el cangrejo | the crab |
el cerdo | the pork |
el cordero | the lamb |
el jamón | the ham |
la langostina | the lobster |
el mejillón | the mussel |
el pavo | the turkey |
el pescado | the fish |
el pollo | the hen |
el pulpo | the octopus |
la salchicha | the sausage |
el salmón | the salmon |
el ternero | the veal |
el tocino | the bacon |
la ostra | the oyster |
You should utilize this vocabulary to order meat and seafood dishes in Spain or one other Spanish-speaking nation. For instance:
- Para empezar me gustaría las croquetas de jamón. = To start out, I’d just like the ham croquettes.
- Quisiera el bacalao a la Vizcaína. = I would really like the Basque-style codfish stew.
Productos lácteos (dairy merchandise) in Spanish
Figuring out dairy merchandise in Spanish may also help you tailor your meals selections, permitting you to specific dietary restrictions and order standard meals and drinks reminiscent of una hamburguesa con queso (a hamburger with cheese) and un café con leche (a espresso with milk).
Spanish | English |
la crema | the cream |
el helado | the ice cream |
el huevo | the egg |
la leche | the milk |
la mantequilla | the butter |
el queso | the cheese |
el requesón | the cottage cheese |
el suero de leche | the buttermilk |
el yogur | the yogurt |
Studying the distinction between ser and estar in Spanish is beneficial for speaking about meals. Ser (to be) is used to speak a couple of meals’s everlasting high quality. For instance:
- El yogur es saludable. = Yogurt is wholesome.
- El helado es delicioso, especialmente en el verano. = Ice cream is scrumptious, particularly in summer time.
Helpful Spanish meals phrases for pantry necessities
Attempting out recipes in Spanish is a good way to immerse your self within the language. Studying these pantry staples may also help you prepare dinner genuine dishes like Mexico’s beloved pastel de nuez (pecan cake) or Spain’s scrumptious arroz con leche (rice pudding).
Spanish | English |
el aceite | the oil |
las almendras | the almonds |
el arroz | the rice |
el azúcar | the sugar |
el azúcar moreno | the brown sugar |
la canela | the cinnamon |
los frijoles | the beans |
la harina | the flour |
el jarabe de arce | the maple syrup |
el ajo en polvo | the garlic powder |
la levadura | the yeast |
la nuez moscada | the nutmeg |
el orégano | the oregano |
la mayonesa | the mayonnaise |
la mermelada | the jam |
la miel | the honey |
la mostaza | the mustard |
las nueces | the nuts |
el pan | the bread |
la pasta | the pasta |
el perejil | the parsley |
el pimentón | the paprika |
la pimienta | the pepper |
el polvo de hornear | the baking powder |
el romero | the rosemary |
la sal | the salt |
la salsa de tomate | the ketchup |
el vinagre | the vinegar |
la vainilla | the vanilla |
Following a recipe in Spanish won’t solely aid you be taught meals vocabulary but in addition the crucial temper in Spanish and customary cooking verbs reminiscent of mezclar (to combine) and agregar (so as to add).
- Mezcla la leche con el azúcar. = Combine the eggs with the sugar.
- Agrega una cucharadita de sal. = Add a teaspoon of salt.
Tentempiés (snacks) and postres (desserts) in Spanish
This checklist of Spanish meals phrases will aid you fulfill your cravings in Spain and Mexico, the place panaderías (bakeries for bread) and pastelerías (bakeries for truffles) are plentiful.
Spanish | English |
el bollo danés | the danish |
el chocolate | the chocolate |
los caramelos | the sweet |
la galleta | the cookie |
las galletas saladas | the pretzels |
la magdalena | the muffin/the cupcake |
la media luna | the croissant (Latin America) |
las palomitas | the popcorn |
el pan dulce | the candy bread |
el panecito | the scone |
las papas | the chips |
el pastel | the cake |
el pastelillo | the pastry |
el pudín | the pudding |
la rosquilla | the doughnut |
la tarta | the pie |
la tarta de queso | the cheesecake |
la torta | the cake (South America) |
el turrón | the nougat |
Dessert vocabulary in Spanish can differ considerably from one nation to the subsequent. For instance, el pastel is the commonest translation of “the cake,” however la torta, el bizcocho, el queque, and la tarta are additionally utilized in some locations. To be taught extra about regional variations of a Spanish meals or drink phrase, you possibly can seek the advice of SpanishDictionary.com.
Names of meals in Spanish for on a regular basis meals
Whereas studying on a regular basis meals in Spanish is a good begin, there are additionally infinite genuine dishes to discover throughout Spanish-speaking international locations, from Spain’s gazpacho to Costa Rica’s gallo pinto (fried rice and beans).
Widespread Spanish desayunos (breakfasts)
You can begin training your Spanish very first thing within the morning with this checklist of breakfast vocabulary.
Spanish | English |
la avena | the oatmeal |
el cereal | the cereal |
los huevos | the eggs |
el omelette | the omelette |
los panqueques | the pancakes |
el pan tostado | the toast |
el/la quiche | the quiche |
la torta de papa | the hash browns |
el wafle | the waffle |
Widespread almuerzos (lunches) and cenas (dinners) in Spanish
You get a fortunate break with lunch and dinner meals, as many are Spanish cognate phrases which are written the identical or practically the identical in Spanish and English. Moreover, many frequent lunches and dinners are the identical in English, reminiscent of enchiladas and tacos.
Spanish | English |
la cazuela | the casserole |
el curry | the curry |
la ensalada | the salad |
el falafel | the falafel |
la hamburguesa | the hamburger |
las papas fritas | the french fries |
el perrito caliente | the recent canine |
la pizza | the pizza |
los macarrones con queso | the macaroni and cheese |
el sándwich | the sandwich |
el espagueti | the spaghetti |
la sopa | the soup |
el sushi | the sushi |
Whereas having fun with your meal, you should use estar to touch upon the temperature or the way it tastes. For instance:
- La avena está muy caliente. = The oatmeal could be very scorching.
- Las papas fritas están demasiado saladas. = The french fries are too salty.
Widespread bebidas (drinks) in Spanish
Drinks in Spanish are a number of the most necessary Spanish phrases for newcomers. They’re sensible and simple to use to genuine contexts.
Spanish | English |
el agua | the water |
el batido | the milkshake/the smoothie |
la cerveza | the beer |
el café | the espresso |
el chocolate caliente | the recent chocolate |
el jugo | the juice |
la leche | the milk |
la limonada | the lemonade |
el refresco | the soda |
el té | the tea |
el té helado | the iced tea |
el vino | the wine |
You should utilize the verbs gustar (to love) and preferir (to desire) to state your choice for a drink in Spanish.
- Prefiero el café con leche al café solo. = I desire espresso with milk to black espresso.
- Me gusta más el vino rojo que el blanco. = I like crimson wine greater than white.
speak about consuming drinks and meals in Spanish
Consuming and consuming are on a regular basis actions, so the Spanish verbs used to specific them are important. Listed below are probably the most frequent Spanish verbs to debate what you eat and drink.
Spanish | English |
almorzar | to have (for) lunch |
beber | to drink |
cenar | to have (for) dinner |
comer | to eat |
desayunar | to have (for) breakfast |
merendar | to have (as) a day snack |
tomar | to drink (Latin America)/ to have |
These verbs can be utilized in a wide range of contexts, reminiscent of when describing a typical day’s meals:
- Suelo desayunar huevos y pan tostado. = I often have eggs and toast for breakfast.
- Por la tarde, tomo un café con un bocadillo. = Within the afternoon, I have a espresso and a sandwich.
- Generalmente ceno carne con verduras. = I usually have meat with greens for dinner.
Broaden your Spanish meals vocabulary with Rosetta Stone
As probably the most necessary steps in be taught Spanish, creating your vocabulary means that you can talk successfully in several conditions. Enjoyable but sensible meals vocabulary is the proper place to start out.
For customized apply and suggestions, join with a Rosetta Stone Spanish tutor. Small-group apply can pace up studying and make you extra snug holding conversations in Spanish. And don’t overlook to ask, ¿Qué te gusta comer? (What do you wish to eat?) to kickstart a flavorful dialogue in your first session!