Spanish Vocabulary for Food & Drinks
Learn common Spanish words and phrases related to Food & Drinks to expand your language skills.
avellanas
hazelnuts
The Spanish word 'avellanas' translates to 'hazelnuts' in English. It is a feminine plural noun often used in culinary contexts, particularly in the naming of dishes and dessert recipes that contain this type of nut. Hazelnuts are known for their warm, sweet flavor, and are particularly popular in sweet dishes like chocolate spreads, cakes, and pastries. The term 'avellanas' can also be used in a more general sense to refer to any type of hazelnut tree or the wood derived from it.
ayunar
fasting
The term 'ayunar' in Spanish translates to 'fasting' in English, which is the act of abstain from all or some kinds of food or drink, usually as a religious practice. It is often associated with religious observances, weight loss or a form of protest or demonstration. The significance and practices of fasting differ among various cultures and religions.
azúcar
sugar
The Spanish word 'azúcar' translates to 'sugar' in English. It is a common term used in food and beverage preparation and is derived from Arabic. The word can be used to describe both the sweet soluble crystalline substance often derived from sugarcane and beet, and used to sweeten food and drink, and also, in a general sense, to refer to anything sweet or pleasant.
bacalao al pilpil
cod with pil pil
'Bacalao al Pilpil' is a traditional Basque dish from Spain. Translated to English, it means 'Cod with Pil Pil'. This dish consists of cod, cooked in a sauce that's made from the cod's own gelatin, garlic, and olive oil, often garnished with chili peppers. The term 'Pil Pil' refers to the sound that the sauce makes while it's cooking. This dish is widely loved for its rich, unique flavor, and uncomplicated preparation, making it a staple of Basque cuisine.
bajo en azúcar
low sugar
The Spanish phrase 'bajo en azúcar' translates to 'low in sugar' in English. It is commonly used to describe food or drink products that contain low amounts of sugar, and can be particularly relevant for those who are monitoring their diet or sugar intake.
bajo en calorías
low calories
The Spanish phrase 'bajo en calorías' translates to 'low in calories' in English. It is commonly used in contexts relating to diet, nutrition, and food products to indicate that the item is not high in Calories and thus can be beneficial for managing weight or overall health. Example of use could be 'Este yogur es bajo en calorías', meaning 'This yogurt is low in calories'.
bajo en sal
low in salt
The Spanish phrase 'bajo en sal' translates to 'low in salt' in English. This is often used to describe food products or recipes that have a low salt or sodium content. It is commonly used in dietary and nutritional contexts, particularly when discussing healthy eating choices and options. Understanding this phrase can be helpful when shopping for groceries, eating out, or preparing meals in a Spanish-speaking setting. Remember that 'bajo' means 'low' and 'sal' means 'salt', so when used together in 'bajo en sal', it directly translates to 'low in salt'.
barrica
barrel
The Spanish word 'barrica' translates to 'barrel' in English. It is often used to refer to a cylindrical container that is generally used for storing and aging beverages, especially wine. It comes from the Spanish word 'barril' which means barrel. It originates from the Latin word 'barrica' which also means barrel. This term is widely used in contexts concerning the wine industry or beverage production.
batir huevos
beat eggs
The Spanish phrase 'batir huevos' directly translates to 'beat eggs' in English. It is a culinary term and is used to describe the process of quickly stirring eggs until the yolk and the white are thoroughly mixed, often using a fork or a whisk. This action is necessary in many recipes, such as scrambled eggs or a variety of pastries.
beber
drink
In English, 'beber' is translated to 'drink'. It refers to drinking or the act of consuming a liquid like water, juice or milk.
Example sentences with beber →bebida alcohólica
alcoholic beverage
The Spanish phrase 'bebida alcohólica' translates to 'alcoholic beverage' in English. This term generally refers to any type of drink that contains alcohol, which is a substance that can create a euphoric and relaxed sensation but can also lead to inebriation and addiction if consumed excessively. Alcoholic beverages are typically divided into three categories: beer, wine, and spirits, though there are many other types. They are often consumed socially, but laws regarding their production, sale, and consumption vary widely around the world.
bebida con alcohol
alcohol drink
The Spanish phrase 'bebida con alcohol' translates to 'alcohol drink' in English. This phrase is used to refer to any drink that contains alcohol, such as beer, wine, or spirits. It is often used in contexts such as bars, restaurants or social gatherings where alcoholic beverages are served.
bebida con hielo
drink with ice
The Spanish term 'bebida con hielo' translates to 'drink with ice' in English. This phrase is used when ordering a beverage and wanting it to be served with ice. It can pertain to various kinds of beverages, such as water, soda, juice, or alcoholic drinks. You would use it in a restaurant, bar, or any other place where drinks are served. Remember, in some Spanish-speaking regions, tap water may not be safe to drink, so specifying 'hielo', or ice, made from purified water might be important.
bebida estimulante
stimulating drink
The Spanish phrase 'bebida estimulante' translates to 'stimulating drink' in English. This terminology is commonly used to reference beverages like coffee or energy drinks that contain caffeine or other substances known to boost energy levels and awaken the senses.
bebida refrescante
refreshing drink
The Spanish phrase 'bebida refrescante' translates to 'refreshing drink' in English. This phrase is often used in Spain and Latin America in contexts such as restaurants, cafes, or during the hot summer season when a cool drink is commonly enjoyed to provide some relief from the heat.
bebida sin alcohol
alcohol free drink
The Spanish term 'bebida sin alcohol' translates to 'alcohol free drink' in English. This is a beverage that does not contain alcohol, often served as a non-alcoholic option at social gatherings or used as a base in mocktail recipes. It can include a range of drinks, such as soda, juice, or anything else that is consumed in a similar manner to alcohol but without its intoxicating effects.
bebida sin hielo
drink without ice
The Spanish phrase 'bebida sin hielo' translates to 'drink without ice' in English. It is often used in restaurants or bars to specify the preferred serving style of a beverage. In this context, 'bebida' means 'drink', 'sin' means 'without', and 'hielo' means 'ice'. Therefore, if you want to order a drink without ice in a Spanish-speaking location, you could say 'Una bebida sin hielo, por favor.'
berenjena
eggplant
The word 'berenjena' is a noun in Spanish, which translates to 'eggplant' in English. It refers to a type of plant species known for their edible purplish or blackish fruits. The term 'berenjena' is often used in the context of cooking and food recipes as eggplant is a common ingredient in many dishes.
bizcocho
biscuit
The word 'bizcocho' in Spanish is translated as 'biscuit' in English. It's a baked sweet item which is usually round and flat in shape and has a crisp or crumbly texture. 'Bizcocho' can also refer to a variety of pastries and baked items in different Spanish-speaking countries. In general, it's a delicious treat often enjoyed during breakfast or as a snack.
blando
soft
The Spanish word 'blando' translates to 'soft' in English. It is an adjective used to describe something that is not hard or firm. It can refer to physical objects, like a soft pillow or a soft texture, as well as abstract concepts, like a soft voice or a soft color. Being an adjective, 'blando' can change its form depending on the gender and number of the noun it is modifying. Hence, it can be 'blando', 'blanda', 'blandos' or 'blandas'.
bocadillo
sandwich
The Spanish word 'bocadillo' translates to 'sandwich' in English. It is a popular snack in Spain and is crafted by cutting a baguette lengthways and filling it with ingredients. These ingredients could be a range of items such as ham, cheese, omelet, or other local favorites. The word 'bocadillo' itself can be broken down into 'boca' meaning 'mouth' and the diminutive suffix 'illo', so it can be thought of as a 'little bite for the mouth'.
bollería
pastries
The Spanish term 'bollería' refers to a category of food items, typically sweet, that are made from dough, commonly flour, which is baked in an oven. In English, this term is most accurately translated as 'pastries'. This can include a wide range of treats such as croissants, danishes, muffins, donuts, and more. It's common to find 'bollería' in bakeries and shops, and they are often served as a part of breakfast or dessert in many Spanish-speaking cultures.
bolsa de la compra
shopping bag
The Spanish phrase 'bolsa de la compra' is used to refer to a shopping bag in English. This term's literal translation is 'bag of the purchase.' It is generally used when referring to the bag one uses to carry purchases from a store or market. Similar to its English counterpart, this Spanish term can refer to any bag used for purchasing goods, regardless of the product or bag material.
bote de mermelada
marmalade boat
The Spanish phrase 'bote de mermelada' directly translates to 'boat of marmalade' in English. However, it does not refer to an actual boat. Instead, it represents a package or container that holds marmalade, similar to a jar or pot. Marmalade is a fruit preserve made from the juice and peel of citrus fruits, typically oranges. In common usage, you might say 'pass me the bote de mermelada' similarly to how in English you might request 'pass me the jar of marmalade'.
bote de tomate
tomato pot
The Spanish phrase 'bote de tomate' translates to 'tomato pot' in English. It can refer to a can or jar of tomato sauce or paste, as 'bote' implies a container, and 'tomate' means tomato. In many Spanish-speaking countries, this term is commonly used in cooking and grocery shopping. The phrase could be used in various contexts, depending on the conversation, but it generally refers to a container of tomatoes.
botella
bottle
The Spanish word 'botella' translates to 'bottle' in English. It is a noun often used to refer to a rigid container with a neck that's narrower than the body and a 'mouth'. Bottles are often made of glass, clay, plastic, aluminum or other impervious materials, and typically used to store liquids such as water, milk, soft drinks, beer, wine, medicine, ink, or oil.
café con leche
coffee with milk
The term 'café con leche' is a commonly used Spanish phrase translating to 'coffee with milk' in English. As the translation suggests, it refers to a popular beverage in many cultures, prepared with a blend of coffee and hot milk. Depending on personal preference or specific regional styles, the ratio of coffee to milk may differ, but generally, it includes equal parts of each. This beverage is typically enjoyed at breakfast or during the mid-afternoon coffee break known as 'merienda' in Spain and many Latin American countries.
café cortado
coffee cut
The term 'café cortado' in Spanish translates as 'coffee cut' in English. It is a popular beverage in Spain, usually served in a small glass. In essence, it's a shot of espresso with a small amount of milk to 'cut' the coffee, hence the term 'café cortado'. It provides a nice balance between the intense flavor of espresso and the creaminess of milk, offering a stronger coffee taste than a traditional latte but slightly milder than a straight espresso.
café solo
black coffee
The Spanish term 'café solo' directly translates to 'coffee alone' in English, but it is more commonly known as 'black coffee'. This is coffee in its most basic form, served without any additions such as milk, sugar, or cream. It is a popular choice among coffee enthusiasts who enjoy the pure, robust flavor of the coffee beans. In Spain, when you order a 'café solo', you will typically receive a small cup of strong, black coffee.
cafetería
cafeteria
A 'Cafetería' is a place that serves food and beverages. It is a casual dining establishment, typically in schools, colleges, workplaces, or public places.
Example sentences with cafetería →