171 Delectable Phrases for Meals in Spanish (and How To Use Them)


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:

SpanishEnglish
el aguacatethe avocado
el arándanothe blueberry
la banana the banana
el cocothe coconut
el damascothe apricot
el duraznothe peach
la guayabathe guava
el figothe fig
la frambuesathe raspberry
la fresathe strawberry
el kiwithe kiwi
la lima*the lime
el limón*the lemon
el mangothe mango
el/la maracuyáthe fervour fruit
el melónthe melon
el melocotónthe peach
el membrillothe quince
la manzanathe apple
la morathe blackberry
la naranjathe orange
la nectarinathe nectarine
la papayathe papaya
la perathe pear
la piñathe pineapple
la pitayathe dragon fruit 
el plátanothe banana/the plantain
la sandíathe watermelon
la toronjathe grapefruit
las uvasthe 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.

SpanishEnglish
el ajothe garlic
la alcachofathe artichoke
la berenjenathe eggplant
el brócolithe broccoli
la cebollathe onion
la calabazathe squash
el/la coliflorthe cauliflower
el champiñónthe mushroom
el chilethe chili pepper
el espárragothe asparagus
la espinacathe spinach
la lechugathe lettuce
el maízthe corn
la papa*the potato
el pepinothe cucumber
el pimientothe bell pepper
el puerrothe leek
el rábanothe radish
la remolachathe beet
el tomatethe tomato
la zanahoriathe 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.

SpanishEnglish
el atúnthe tuna
el bacalaothe cod
el bistec the steak 
el calamarthe squid
el camarónthe shrimp
el cangrejothe crab
el cerdothe pork
el corderothe lamb
el jamónthe ham
la langostinathe lobster
el mejillónthe mussel
el pavo the turkey 
el pescadothe fish
el pollothe hen
el pulpothe octopus
la salchichathe sausage
el salmónthe salmon
el ternerothe veal
el tocinothe bacon 
la ostrathe 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).

SpanishEnglish
la cremathe cream
el heladothe ice cream
el huevo the egg
la lechethe milk
la mantequillathe butter
el quesothe cheese
el requesónthe cottage cheese
el suero de lechethe buttermilk
el yogurthe 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).

SpanishEnglish
el aceitethe oil
las almendrasthe almonds
el arrozthe rice
el azúcarthe sugar
el azúcar morenothe brown sugar
la canelathe cinnamon
los frijolesthe beans
la harinathe flour
el jarabe de arcethe maple syrup 
el ajo en polvothe garlic powder
la levadurathe yeast
la nuez moscadathe nutmeg
el oréganothe oregano
la mayonesathe mayonnaise
la mermeladathe jam
la mielthe honey
la mostazathe mustard
las nuecesthe nuts
el panthe bread
la pastathe pasta
el perejilthe parsley
el pimentónthe paprika
la pimientathe pepper
el polvo de hornearthe baking powder
el romerothe rosemary
la salthe salt
la salsa de tomatethe ketchup
el vinagrethe vinegar
la vainillathe 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.

SpanishEnglish
el bollo danésthe danish
el chocolatethe chocolate
los caramelosthe sweet 
la galletathe cookie
las galletas saladasthe pretzels 
la magdalenathe muffin/the cupcake
la media lunathe croissant (Latin America)
las palomitasthe popcorn
el pan dulcethe candy bread
el panecito the scone
las papasthe chips
el pastelthe cake
el pastelillothe pastry
el pudínthe pudding
la rosquillathe doughnut
la tartathe pie 
la tarta de queso the cheesecake
la tortathe cake (South America)
el turrónthe 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.

SpanishEnglish
la avenathe oatmeal
el cerealthe cereal
los huevosthe eggs
el omelettethe omelette
los panquequesthe pancakes
el pan tostado the toast
el/la quichethe quiche
la torta de papathe 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.

SpanishEnglish
la cazuelathe casserole
el currythe curry
la ensaladathe salad
el falafelthe falafel
la hamburguesathe hamburger
las papas fritasthe french fries 
el perrito calientethe recent canine 
la pizzathe pizza
los macarrones con queso the macaroni and cheese
el sándwichthe sandwich
el espaguetithe spaghetti
la sopathe soup 
el sushithe 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.

SpanishEnglish
el aguathe water
el batido the milkshake/the smoothie
la cervezathe beer
el caféthe espresso
el chocolate calientethe recent chocolate
el jugothe juice
la lechethe milk
la limonadathe lemonade
el refrescothe soda
el téthe tea
el té helado the iced tea
el vinothe 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 
almorzarto have (for) lunch
beberto drink 
cenarto have (for) dinner
comerto eat
desayunarto have (for) breakfast
merendarto 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!

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