Spanish Vocabulary for Food & Drinks

The Spanish term 'saltear verduras' translates to 'sauté vegetables' in English. In a culinary context, 'sauté' is a method of cooking that uses a small amount of oil or fat in a shallow pan over relatively high heat. 'Verduras' means 'vegetables', so the phrase refers to the process of quickly frying vegetables in a small amount of hot oil or fat. Typically, the vegetables are cut into small pieces or thinly sliced to enhance the quick cooking process. This phrase may often be found in recipes and other food preparation guides.

sandía

watermelon

Example sentences with sandía →

Watermelon is a plant species in the family Cucurbitaceae, a vine-like flowering plant originally domesticated in West Africa. Its fruit, which is also called watermelon, is a special kind referred to by botanists as a pepo.

sardina

sardine

The Spanish word 'sardina' translates to 'sardine' in English. It is a term used to refer to several types of small, oily fish within the herring family. Sardines are commonly canned and are known for their rich nutritional content, including high levels of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D. The word can be used in various contexts, such as in food and nutrition, biology, and even as a metaphor in literature and expressions.

segundo plato

Second dish

The Spanish phrase 'segundo plato' translates to 'second dish' in English. It is typically used to refer to the main course or entree in a meal, following the first course or 'primer plato'. This term is common in food and dining situations, particularly in a restaurant setting or during a formal meal. It can encompass a wide variety of dishes, depending on the specific cuisine or culinary tradition.

sentar bien

Fine.

The Spanish phrase 'sentar bien' is often translated to 'sit well' directly, but in common usage the phrase isn't related to sitting at all. Instead, 'sentar bien' is frequently used to convey the idea that something suits a person, makes them feel good, or fits them well. This could pertain to clothing, food, or even experiences or events. For example, you might use 'sentar bien' to say that a certain style of dress suits your friend, or that a meal you just had agreed with you and didn't cause any digestive problems.

sentar mal

Sit down.

The Spanish phrase 'sentar mal' doesn't quite translate to 'sit down' in English. Instead, it is used to describe a feeling of physical discomfort, often as a result of eating or drinking something that didn't agree with you. For example, if you say 'Esa comida me sienta mal', it means 'That food doesn't sit well with me' or 'That food makes me feel unwell'. This phrase can also be used in a broader context to say something doesn't suit you or doesn't make you feel good.

ser (un) alcohólico

to be (an) alcoholic

The Spanish phrase 'ser (un) alcohólico' translates to 'to be (an) alcoholic' in English. It is used to describe someone who has a dependency on alcohol. It represents a serious condition where the person's drinking interferes with their health, social, and professional lives. In Spanish, verbs like 'ser' are often used to describe a permanent or long-term state of being or identity, which highlights the severity and permanency often associated with alcoholism.

ser abstemio

to be a teetotal

The Spanish term 'ser abstemio' refers to a lifestyle choice, essentially meaning 'to be a teetotaler' in English. A teetotaler is someone who chooses not to consume alcoholic beverages for personal, health, religious or other reasons. An abstemio abstains from all forms of alcohol, often including those used in cooking. This choice may be part of a larger context of sobriety or temperance, but not everyone who chooses to be abstemio will necessarily identify with these movements.

ser de buen comer

to be good to eat

'Ser de buen comer' is a Spanish phrase that refers to someone who enjoys eating or someone who eats well. This is not an exact translation to the English phrase 'to be good to eat'. Rather, it is used to describe someone's eating habits, not the quality or taste of food itself.

ser de digestión difícil

to be difficult digestion

The phrase 'ser de digestión difícil' in Spanish refers to something, often a food or meal, that is hard or challenging to digest. It can be used metaphorically to describe a situation or concept that is difficult to fathom or understand.

ser de digestión lenta

to be of slow digestion

The Spanish phrase 'ser de digestión lenta' translates to 'to be of slow digestion' in English. This phrase is typically used to describe someone who digests food slowly which might lead to a feeling of discomfort or fullness for a long time after eating. It's not common to use this phrase in a literal context though, as it is more often used metaphorically to describe someone who takes time to process information or coming to a decision.

ser de digestión pesada

to be of heavy digestion

The Spanish phrase 'ser de digestión pesada' translates to 'to be of heavy digestion' in English. This phrase is typically used to describe a feeling of discomfort after consuming a heavy, rich, or excessive meal. It is not related to a person's character or behavior, but rather to a physical condition that may affect the person after dining. It is quite commonly used in conversational Spanish when discussing dietary habits or health conditions.

ser de mal comer

being bad to eat

The Spanish phrase 'ser de mal comer' does not directly translate to 'being bad to eat' in English. Instead, it is an idiomatic expression that describes a person who is a picky or fussy eater. It's often used to refer to someone who has specific, limited, or particular tastes in food, making it difficult for them to enjoy a variety of dishes or foods.

ser indigesto

to be unworthy

The Spanish phrase 'ser indigesto' does not translate directly to 'to be unworthy' in English. Rather it carries a literal translation of 'to be indigestible.' It's a term typically used to indicate that something is hard to accept or understand, quite like a food that's hard to digest.

ser vegetariano

being vegetarian

The phrase 'ser vegetariano' in Spanish translates to 'being vegetarian' in English. This phrase is often used to describe individuals who follow a specific diet that excludes meat and emphasizes foods from plant sources. Vegetarianism is a lifestyle choice for many out of health, ethical, or environmental considerations. As the verb 'ser' is used, it denotes a permanent state or characteristic of a person which aligns with the perception of vegetarianism as a permanent lifestyle choice and not a temporary diet.

servir una bebida

serve a drink

The Spanish phrase 'servir una bebida' translates to 'serve a drink' in English. This phrase is generally used to depict the offering or the act of giving a drink, often used in professional contexts such as restaurants or bars, but is also common in social settings. In conjugated contexts, 'servir' may change form to fit sentence requirements.

servir una comida

serving a meal

The Spanish phrase 'servir una comida' translates to 'serving a meal' in English. The verb 'servir' means 'to serve'. It is normally used in a context relating to the action of providing food or drink to someone. The counterpart 'una comida' means 'a meal'. This phrase can be used in different contexts such as at home, in restaurants, special events, etc. It's common to hear this phrase when referring to the act of setting food on the table for people to eat.

sobrasada

leftover

The given word 'sobrasada' doesn't actually mean 'leftover' in English. 'Sobrasada' is a type of cured sausage from the Balearic Islands in Spain. Made from ground pork, paprika and other spices, it's traditionally spread on bread or used in cooking. Its unique flavor and texture are beloved in Spanish cuisine.

sofreír cebollas

sauté onions

The Spanish phrase 'sofreír cebollas' translates to 'sauté onions' in English. This is a culinary term often used in cooking recipes. It involves cooking onions in a small amount of fat on relatively high heat until they are browned. This process gives the onions a sweet and savory flavor, making them suitable for use in a variety of dishes.

solomillo de ternera

beef tenderloin

The Spanish term 'solomillo de ternera' translates to 'beef tenderloin' in English. It is a premium cut of meat that is often used in gourmet recipes due to its tender texture and rich flavor. Typically, it is served roasted or grilled, in a variety of dishes such as steak, stews, and roasts. The term 'solomillo de ternera' also signals the quality and tenderness of the meat, as 'solomillo' refers to the loin cut of the animal which is one of the most tender parts, and 'ternera' means calf or veal, indicating the meat is from a young cow.

sopa

soup

The Spanish word 'sopa' translates to 'soup' in English. It refers to a liquid dish, typically made by boiling meat, fish, or vegetables, etc., in water, often eaten as the first course of a meal. 'Sopa' can also describe a range of dishes with a broth base, and can be enhanced with various ingredients like noodles, rice, vegetables or chunks of meat. In Spanish-speaking cuisines, 'sopa' may take on many forms and flavors.

sopa de pescado

fish soup

The Spanish term 'sopa de pescado' translates to 'fish soup' in English. It refers to a soup that uses fish or seafood as its primary ingredient along with vegetables and spices. This dish is quite popular in many Spanish-speaking regions, where it is served as a starter or a main course.

sopa de verduras

vegetable soup

The Spanish term 'sopa de verduras' translates to 'vegetable soup' in English. It is a common dish in Spanish cuisine and encompasses a variety of interpretations and ingredients. Traditionally, 'sopa de verduras' can include a variety of vegetables such as carrots, cabbage, peas, potatoes, green beans, and onions. The vegetables are often simmered in a flavorful broth until tender. This dish can be customized with the addition of proteins or grains, and it is enjoyed all year round but is especially comforting during colder months.

soso

bland

adjective Food & Drinks

The Spanish word 'soso' translates to 'bland' in English. It is usually used to describe food that lacks flavor or taste. However, it can also be metaphorically used to describe something uninteresting or dull. For example, a non-intriguing book or a monotonous meeting could be referred to as 'soso'.

succionar

suction

The Spanish word 'succionar' refers to the English term 'suction'. It is predominantly used in a physical or scientific context to explain the action or process where a vacuum or area of low air pressure sucks up or pulls in another object or substance. This action often occurs in nature and in various physical phenomena, but it is also a principle used in many technological devices and procedures.

tapa

lid

The Spanish word 'tapa' translates to 'lid' in English. It is commonly used to refer to the covers of containers like pots, pans, and jars. For instance, when you can't find the 'tapa' for a pot, you are essentially saying you can't locate the lid for the pot. This word is very common in Spanish-speaking households and is an essential term when it comes to kitchen vocabulary.

tapón (de la botella)

plug (from the bottle)

noun celebrations Food & Drinks

The Spanish word 'tapón (de la botella)' translates to 'plug (from the bottle)' in English. This term is commonly used in the context of beverages, particularly when referring to a cork or stopper that is inserted into the top of a bottle to seal it. 'Tapón' can be used to refer to any type of stopper or plug, while the phrase 'de la botella' specifies that it's the plug from a bottle. Similar constructs are common in Spanish, where a general noun is followed by a specific descriptor in the format of 'de la/de lo/de los'.

tarta de chocolate

chocolate cake

The phrase 'tarta de chocolate' in Spanish translates to 'chocolate cake' in English. It's a well-known dessert made with chocolate. It might involve baking a cake from scratch with cocoa ingredients, sugar, flour, and other components or it can be made using pre-packaged mix. It can be enjoyed as is or be embellished with additional toppings such as frosting, sprinkles, or fruit. The phrase is used in various Spanish-speaking regions to refer to this beloved dessert.

tarta de crema

cream pie