Spanish Vocabulary for Food & Drinks
Learn common Spanish words and phrases related to Food & Drinks to expand your language skills.
alimento fresco
fresh food
The term 'alimento fresco' in Spanish directly translates to 'fresh food' in English. In Spanish-speaking cultures, emphasis is traditionally placed on the freshness and quality of ingredients in the preparation of meals. The phrase 'alimento fresco' is often used in the context of markets, cooking, or dining, where it suggests food that is not processed or preserved. It could refer to a variety of food items, including fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, or seafood.
alimento ligero
light food
The Spanish phrase 'alimento ligero' translates to 'light food' in English. This refers to food that is not heavy on the stomach and is easy to digest. It often relates to meals that are low in calories, satiating without being overly filling. It could include foods such as salads, fruits, and lean proteins. This phrase may be used in contexts where health, dieting, or ease of digestion are being discussed.
alimento nutritivo
nutrition
The Spanish term 'alimento nutritivo' translates to 'nutritious food' in English. This term is often used to describe food items that are high in nutrients essential for the body's growth, development, and overall health. These can include foods rich in vitamins, minerals, proteins, good fats, and complex carbohydrates. 'Alimento nutritivo' is therefore a concept deeply linked with balanced diets and health-conscious practices.
alimento orgánico
organic food
The Spanish phrase 'alimento orgánico' directly translates to 'organic food' in English. Organic food is food produced by methods that comply with the standards of organic farming. Standards vary worldwide, but organic farming features practices that cycle resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. It primarily avoids the use of certain artificial substances, like synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers, and does not contain genetically modified organisms. 'Alimento orgánico' is a common term used in many Spanish-speaking countries to represent food items that are grown and produced naturally and without the use of artificial elements.
alimento pesado
heavy food
The Spanish term 'alimento pesado' translates to 'heavy food' in English. This phrase is often used to describe food that is dense or rich, typically causing a feeling of fullness or satiety quickly. It can also refer to food perceived as unhealthy or high in calories such as fast food, fried foods, or food high in sugar. The term does not necessarily imply the physical weight of the food, but rather its impact on the eater's sensation of fullness or digestive process.
alimento rico en calcio
calcium-rich food
The Spanish phrase 'alimento rico en calcio' translates into English as 'calcium-rich food'. This term is often used in health and diet contexts to refer to foods that are a great source of calcium, an essential dietary mineral. Calcium is crucial for many bodily functions including bone health, and foods rich in calcium can include dairy products, certain green vegetables, and some types of fish and nuts.
alimento rico en calorías
calorie rich food
The Spanish phrase 'alimento rico en calorías' translates to 'calorie-rich food' in English. This is usually referred to food with a high level of calories or energy content. These foods could include fatty foods, sweet dishes, or food that has been heavily processed. Consumption of such foods should be balanced with regular exercise and a healthy diet to maintain proper health.
alimento rico en fibra
fiber-rich food
The Spanish phrase 'alimento rico en fibra' translates to 'fiber-rich food' in English. Fiber-rich foods are those that contain a high level of dietary fiber, a nutrient that is beneficial for digestion. Examples of fiber-rich foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. Eating fiber-rich food can help with maintaining a healthy diet and support overall well-being.
alimento rico en hierro
food rich in iron
The Spanish phrase 'alimento rico en hierro' translates to 'food rich in iron' in English. This refers to any type of food that contains a high amount of iron, which is a nutrient that is essential for the healthy function of the body. Foods rich in iron include red meats, fish, poultry, lentils, beans, and dark leafy greens among others.
alimento rico en proteínas
protein-rich food
The Spanish phrase 'alimento rico en proteínas' is translated directly into English as 'food rich in proteins'. This phrase refers to any food that contains a high amount of proteins, which are essential nutrients for the human body. These types of foods include meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, legumes, and nuts, among many others. Consuming a diet rich in these foods is essential for key processes in the body such as growth and development, cellular repair, enzyme and hormone production, and maintaining a strong immune system.
alimento rico en vitaminas
food rich in vitamins
The Spanish phrase 'alimento rico en vitaminas' translates to 'food rich in vitamins' in English. This phrase is referring to any kind of food that is abundant in vitamins, which are essential nutrients that the body needs in small amounts for normal growth and development. These foods could be fruits, vegetables, lean meats, fish, grains and dairy products.
alimento sin colorantes
food without coloring
The Spanish phrase 'alimento sin colorantes' translates to 'food without coloring' in English. This phrase is often used on nutrition labels, food packaging, and in dietary contexts to refer to food that has not been artificially colored or dyed. This practice of avoiding artificial colorings is generally considered better for health. In summation, 'alimento sin colorantes' is Spanish for food products that have no artificial colors added to them.
alimento sin conservantes
food without preservatives
The Spanish phrase 'alimento sin conservantes' translates to 'food without preservatives' in English. This indicates food items that have not been treated with substances that prolong their shelf life and maintain their quality. These foods are often perceived to be healthier and more natural. However, they may not last as long and require proper storage conditions.
alimento sin edulcorantes
food without sweeteners
The term 'alimento sin edulcorantes' in Spanish refers to food that does not contain any kind of sweeteners. Sweeteners are substances that are used to sweeten food and drinks, and can be natural (like sugar or honey) or artificial. This phrase is commonly used on food labels to inform consumers that the product does not contain sweeteners, and is therefore not artificially sweetened.
alimentos transgénicos
gmo foods
The Spanish term 'alimentos transgénicos' translates to 'gmo foods' in English. This term refers to food products that have been derived from organisms that have had changes introduced into their DNA via genetic engineering. The modification aims at improving the food's trait, such as increasing its resistance to pests. While the use and consumption of GMO foods are widespread, they are also a subject of public debate regarding their safety and impact on the environment.
Example sentences with alimentos transgénicos →aliñar
to relieve
The Spanish verb 'aliñar' translates to 'to season' or 'to dress' in English. It is commonly used in the context of preparing food by adding spices or other condiments. For example, 'aliñar la ensalada' would mean 'to dress the salad'. It does not have the meaning of 'to relieve' in English. That would be 'aliviar' in Spanish.
aliñar una ensalada
add a salad
The Spanish phrase 'aliñar una ensalada' is directly translated as 'dress a salad' in English. This phrase is used to describe the action of adding dressing, condiments, and flavors to a salad. The word 'aliñar' generally means to season or add flavor to something, and 'una ensalada' is simply one salad in Spanish. Therefore, this phrase could be utilized in the context of preparing a meal, specifically when improving the taste of a salad by adding different elements such as sauce, vegetables, fruits, or seasonings.
almeja
Almeja
The Spanish word 'almeja' is translated in English as 'clam'. It refers to a kind of sea creature found often in shallow, sandy areas of the ocean. Clams are also known for their edible soft body, and they are used in various cuisines worldwide. Clams have a hard shell with two halves that can open and close. They are an important part of oceanic ecosystems and aquaculture.
almendras
almonds
The Spanish word 'almendras' translates to 'almonds' in English. Almonds are edible seeds from the almond tree. They are highly nutritious, being a source of healthy fats, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
alubias
beans
The Spanish word 'alubias' translates to 'beans' in English. It refers to a type of legume, which is a diverse class of vegetables that encompasses different types of beans, peas, lentils, and many more. Beans or 'alubias' are a popular ingredient in many Spanish dishes, providing essential nutrients such as protein, fiber, iron and complex carbohydrates. They are often used in soups, stews, salads, and as a side dish.
amargo
bitter
In Spanish, we perceive 'amargo' esentially relating to a bitter taste or experience.
Example sentences with amargo →amargor
bitterness
The Spanish word 'amargor' translates to 'bitterness' in English. It is primarily used in context to represent a strong aversive sense, metaphorically referring to emotions of anger, annoyance, discomfort or dissatisfaction. The word can be usually found in literary works, poetry, and ordinary speech to intensify the sentiment being conveyed.
aperitivo
snack
The term 'aperitivo' refers to a small dish usually consumed prior to the main meal to stimulate or enhance one's appetites. In English, it can be roughly translated as a 'snack' or 'appetizer'. This is typically a light fare and can encompass various types of foods, from simple finger foods to complex culinary creations. It is a common part of meal tradition in several Spanish and Latin cultures.
apetitoso
appetite
The Spanish word 'apetitoso' does not directly translate to 'appetite' in English. Instead, it is an adjective that is used to describe something that is appetizing, tasty, or delicious to the senses. It typically applies to food and is used to imply that something is enticing or desirable to eat. English equivalent might include words such as delicious, mouth-watering, appetizing, or tasty. It can also be used metaphorically to describe something that is appealing or attractive, not just for food. So, in English context, 'apetitoso' may be used to describe a meal that looks very attractive and makes you want to eat it.
apreciar un plato
appreciate a dish
The Spanish phrase 'apreciar un plato' translates to 'appreciate a dish' in English. This could be used in a variety of contexts, but most frequently in reference to enjoying or valuing a particular meal or specific type of food. The verb 'apreciar' denotes a sense of appreciation or admiration, while 'un plato' simply means a dish or plate, often used to refer to a meal. So, if you hear someone say they 'aprecian un plato', they are expressing that they have a high regard for a particular dish or meal.
apreciar una comida
appreciate a meal
The Spanish phrase 'apreciar una comida' translates to 'appreciate a meal' in English. This phrase is often used when someone really enjoys a meal or wants to express gratitude for it. Appreciating a meal not only involves enjoying the taste, but also acknowledging the time and effort put in to prepare it.
arroz
rice
Arroz is the Spanish word for 'rice', a mainstay in many traditional dishes. Whether in paella in Spain or moros y cristianos in Cuba, rice is omnipresent in Hispanic cuisine, making 'arroz' a crucial term for learners.
Example sentences with arroz →arroz con leche
rice with milk
The Spanish phrase 'arroz con leche' translates to 'rice with milk' in English. It is a traditional dessert made from rice, sweetened with sugar, and flavoured with spices like cinnamon. Often, it's cooked until it has a creamy consistency similar to that of rice pudding. This dish is a common and popular dessert in many Latin American countries as well as Spain.
asar
asar
The Spanish word 'asar' translates to 'roast' in English. It is a verb commonly used in a culinary context to describe the process of cooking something, typically meat, by prolonged exposure to heat, especially through fire or heat radiation. The term 'asar' can also be used metaphorically in various contexts in the Spanish language.
atún
tuna
The Spanish word 'atún' translates to 'tuna' in English. 'Atún' is a noun which refers to a type of saltwater fish that is often used in cooking. It is a popular choice for dishes like salads, sandwiches and sushi. In Spain, 'atún' is a common ingredient in the traditional dish known as 'tapas'.