Spanish Vocabulary for Food & Drinks
Learn common Spanish words and phrases related to Food & Drinks to expand your language skills.
pimienta
pepper
The Spanish word 'pimienta' translates to 'pepper' in English. This word typically refers to a type of spicy seasoning, ground from various types of peppercorns. It is often used in cooking to add flavor and heat to dishes. There are various types of 'pimienta', including black, white, and red pepper, each with their own unique flavor profiles.
piña
pineapple
The pineapple is a tropical plant with an edible fruit and the most economically significant plant in the family Bromeliaceae. It is a multiple fruit, composed of coalesced berries, also called 'pineapples'.
Example sentences with piña →plátano
banana
A banana is an elongated, edible fruit produced by several kinds of large herbaceous flowering plants in the genus Musa.
Example sentences with plátano →plato
plate
A flat, usually round dish with a slightly raised edge, used to hold food.
Example sentences with plato →plato combinado
combined dish
The Spanish term 'plato combinado' translates to 'combined dish' in English. This term is frequently used in Spanish dining establishments. A 'plato combinado' generally consists of different types of food served together on a single plate, often containing a portion of meat or fish, a side dish such as fried potatoes, rice, or vegetables, and occasionally accompanied by a salad or an egg. These dishes are normally served as a full meal and are highly popular due to their versatility and simplicity.
poco hecho
under done / rare
The Spanish term 'poco hecho' is directly translated as 'little made' in English. However, in practical usage, it does not correspond to this direct translation. It's typically used in culinary contexts to refer to food, especially meat, that is cooked for a short period of time, thus leaving it 'underdone' or 'rare'. In a restaurant, if you prefer your steak still red in the middle, you would request it 'poco hecho'. It essentially refers to food that's less cooked and closer to its raw state.
pollo
chicken
The word 'pollo' translates to 'chicken' in English. Given chicken is a common food item in most meals across Spanish-speaking countries, this word is valuable for beginners learning Spanish.
Example sentences with pollo →ponerse malo
get bad
The Spanish phrase 'ponerse malo' is directly translated to 'get bad' in English. However, it is more naturally understood as getting sick or falling ill. 'Ponerse' is a reflexive verb which means 'to put on' or 'to become', and 'malo' is an adjective that means 'bad' or 'sick'. As a phrase, 'ponerse malo' is often used to express that someone is becoming sick or is starting to feel unwell.
ponerse morado
Get bitten
The phrase 'ponerse morado' does not translate directly to 'get bitten' in English. It is an idiomatic expression in Spanish which is used to indicate eating or drinking excessively. A literal English translation would be 'turn purple', however, it is commonly used to refer to overindulgence, akin to the English phrase 'to pig out'.
postre
dessert
The Spanish word 'postre' translates to 'dessert' in English. A dessert is typically the sweet course that concludes a meal. The course usually consists of sweet foods, and possibly a beverage such as dessert wine or liqueur. In Spanish culture, 'postre' can be a delicacy like flan, churros, or traditional sweets like 'turrón'.
preparar una comida
prepare a meal
The Spanish phrase 'preparar una comida' translates to 'prepare a meal' in English. It refers to the process of cooking or making a meal. This could include activities ranging from gathering ingredients, chopping vegetables, baking, frying, or boiling to plating the food in an appealing way. This phrase can be used in various contexts in everyday life, such as invitation for someone to help in the kitchen, plans for a family dinner, or description of a chef's work.
primer plato
First dish
The Spanish term 'primer plato' translates to 'first dish' in English. It is often used to refer to the first course or starter in a meal. In a traditional Spanish multi-course meal, 'primer plato' is typically lighter and less hearty than the main course, but more substantial than an appetizer or a tapa. It sets the tone for the rest of the meal, and can range from soups and salads to various types of pasta, rice, and vegetable dishes.
probar una bebida
try a drink
The Spanish term 'probar una bebida' translates to 'try a drink' in English. This phrase can be used in several contexts, but primarily indicates the action of tasting or sampling a beverage. For instance, if you're at a party and you're offered unknown beverage, you may be asked to 'probar una bebida'.
producir acidez
produce acidity
The phrase 'producir acidez' in Spanish translates to 'produce acidity' in English. This is often used in the context of discussing chemical reactions, cooking, or human health, such as when certain foods or situations cause your stomach to produce more acid than normal.
producir gases
produce gases
The Spanish phrase 'producir gases' translates to 'produce gases' in English. It is related to the process or action of creating or generating gases. This phrase could be used in a variety of contexts, such as scientific, medical or everyday discussions about our environment or bodily functions.
producto alimenticio
food product
The Spanish term 'producto alimenticio' translates to 'food product' in English. This can refer to any type of product designed for human consumption, including but not limited to raw ingredients like fruits, vegetables, and meats, as well as packaged goods like snacks, drinks, and ready-made meals. In a sentence, 'producto alimenticio' might be used to describe something available in a grocery store or served in a restaurant.
producto congelado
frozen product
The Spanish phrase 'producto congelado' can be translated to English as 'frozen product'. It refers to any type of food product that has been subjected to freezing. This process of freezing is done to preserve the food product for a longer span of time. Examples could be frozen vegetables, frozen meats, or any other item that needs to be stored in the freezer to maintain its freshness or prevent it from spoiling.
producto dietético
dietary product
The Spanish term 'producto dietético' translates to 'dietary product' in English. Dietary products are generally those goods that are consciously designed to cater to specific dietary needs and limitations; these could include but are not limited to low-sugar, low-fat, high protein, gluten-free, lactose-free, and items designed for people with specific allergies. They can represent a broad spectrum of substances from meals and beverages to dietary supplements. This term is widely used in food market, nutrition, and diet discussions.
producto fresco
fresh product
The Spanish phrase 'producto fresco' translates to 'fresh product' in English. This term is often used in grocery stores, markets, and restaurants to indicate that a particular food item or commodity is new, not frozen or preserved, but freshly harvested or produced. Some examples of 'producto fresco' could be fruits and vegetables, dairy products, or freshly caught seafood.
producto natural
natural product
The phrase 'producto natural' in Spanish translates to 'natural product' in English. This term generally refers to substances derived from natural sources such as plants, animals, and minerals, as opposed to a product made from synthetic or man-made elements. They are often used in contexts such as food, beauty, health, and wellness industries.
producto orgánico
Professional product
'Producto orgánico' does not mean 'professional product'. In fact, it translates to 'organic product' in English. The phrase would typically refer to items produced in accordance with certain standards that maintain or enhance soil and water quality while reducing pollution. This may include food, beverages, or other items that have been grown or produced without the use of synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, or genetic engineering.
producto para diabéticos
product for diabetics
The phrase 'producto para diabéticos' in Spanish translates to 'product for diabetics' in English. This phrase is often seen on packaging or advertisements for food or medical goods. These products are designed or processed specially to meet the health needs of people with diabetes. They could be items with low or zero sugar content, diabetes-friendly snacks, or specific medical items like insulin or glucose meters.
promoción
promotion
The Spanish word 'promoción' translates to 'promotion' in English. It may refer to the act of advancing someone to a higher position or rank, usually in a professional context. Moreover, 'promoción' can also mean a special offer aimed at increasing the sales of a product or service. It varies in usage based on context.
proteínas
proteins
The Spanish word 'proteínas' translates to 'proteins' in English. Proteins are large molecules that the cells in our bodies need to function properly. They are made up of smaller units called amino acids, and are essential for the growth and repair of tissue, as well as the production of enzymes and hormones. In Spanish, they use the word 'proteínas' to refer to these important molecules.
pudrirse
rot
The Spanish word 'pudrirse' translates to 'rot' in English. It is a reflexive verb that is often used to describe the process of decomposition in organic materials. When something is 'pudriéndose', it means it is currently rotting or decomposing. This word is usually associated with the natural decay of fruits, vegetables, or other biological materials. Keep in mind that this word has a negative connotation, indicating that something is spoiled or ruined.
pulpa
octopus
The Spanish word 'pulpa' translates to 'octopus' in English. It is commonly used in Spanish-speaking countries to refer to the soft-bodied, eight-armed sea creature known for its intelligence and unique physical characteristics. 'Pulpa' can be used in various contexts such as food, wildlife, and literature. Please note, in some regions, 'pulpo' is more commonly used for octopus, while 'pulpa' can also mean 'pulp'.
puñado de lentejas
handful of lentils
The Spanish phrase 'puñado de lentejas' translates to 'handful of lentils' in English. This phrase can be broken down into two parts: 'puñado', which means handful, and 'lentejas', which means lentils. It can be used in various contexts, particularly in describing a small quantity, similar to the English phrase 'a handful of'. The use of 'puñado de lentejas' would often be found in food-related discussions or recipes where a small quantity of lentils is required.
Example sentences with puñado de lentejas →quemarse la comida
burn the food
The Spanish phrase 'quemarse la comida' translates to 'burn the food' in English. It is generally used to describe a scenario when cooking goes wrong and the food gets overcooked to a point of being charred or burnt. Often, it indicates a cooking error or mishap.
queso
cheese
The term 'queso' directly translates to 'cheese' in English. It is a staple in many Spanish dishes and therefore an essential word for any food-related conversation.
Example sentences with queso →queso azul
Blue cheese
Queso azul is a Spanish term that translates to 'blue cheese' in English. This is a general term for cheeses that have had cultures of the mold Penicillium added so that the final product is spotted or veined throughout with blue, blue-grey or blue-green mold, and carries a distinct smell. Such cheeses can range from mild to sharp in flavor, and are often enjoyed with fruits, like pears and apples. Within this category, there are many specific kinds of blue cheese, each with their own distinct flavors, including but not limited to Gorgonzola, Roquefort and Stilton.