Spanish Vocabulary for Food & Drinks
Learn common Spanish words and phrases related to Food & Drinks to expand your language skills.
grosella
grosella
The word 'grosella' in Spanish translates to 'currant' in English. This term is used to describe small berries of several distinct species of shrubs in the family Grossulariaceae. These berries are often red, black, or white and are frequently used in making jams, jellies, and baked goods. They should not be confused with the dried 'zante currants' used in baking, which are actually a type of small grape.
guisantes
peas
The Spanish word 'guisantes' translates to 'peas' in English. It is a noun and refers to small spherical green vegetables which is a seed of a plant from the legume family. They are commonly used in a variety of culinary contexts including soups, stews, and salads. They are also considered beneficial for health due to their high nutritional content that includes vitamins and protein.
hacer la digestión
make digestion
The Spanish phrase 'hacer la digestión' translates to 'make digestion' in English. This phrase is used in Spanish when referring to the process our bodies undertake after eating to break down food and absorb the nutrients. However, a more common English equivalent might be 'to digest food'.
hacer la lista de la compra
make the purchase list
The Spanish phrase 'hacer la lista de la compra' translates to 'make the purchase list' in English. This can be used in various contexts related to preparing a list of items that need to be bought from a store or market. It can involve groceries, household items, clothes, and more.
hamburguesa
burger
The word 'hamburguesa' in Spanish translates to 'burger' in English. It is a common term used in many Spanish-speaking countries and is typically associated with fast-food or casual dining. A 'hamburguesa' usually refers to a cooked patty of ground meat, usually beef, placed inside a bread roll and served with various condiments and toppings.
hamburguesería
hamburgers
The Spanish word 'hamburguesería' is a noun, it generally refers to a place, specifically a restaurant or a shop where hamburgers are predominantly sold or served. In English, it can be roughly translated as 'burger joint' or 'burger shop'. This word is quite common in Spanish speaking territories where American fast food culture is prevalent. Synonyms could also include 'restaurant de hamburguesas' which can directly translate to 'hamburger restaurant'.
harina de maíz
corn flour
The Spanish term 'harina de maíz' translates to 'corn flour' in English. Corn flour is a type of flour made from dried corn kernels. It is commonly used in cooking for making cornbread, tortillas, tamales, and many other types of food. Corn flour is considered a staple food in many countries and it is especially prevalent in Mexican and South American cuisine. It's gluten-free, rich in fiber and can be used in a variety of dishes, both sweet and savory.
harina de trigo
wheat flour
The Spanish term 'harina de trigo' directly translates to 'wheat flour' in English. This is a fundamental ingredient used in many types of baking and cooking around the world. It is created by grinding wheat down into a fine powder. Different types of wheat flour are used for specific purposes and can be found in many baking recipes such as breads, pastas, cakes, and pastries.
helado de chocolate
chocolate ice cream
The phrase 'helado de chocolate' in Spanish can be translated to English as 'chocolate ice cream'. Ice cream, known as 'helado' in Spanish, is a popular dessert enjoyed all around the world, and chocolate, or 'chocolate' in Spanish, is one of the most beloved flavors. Therefore, 'helado de chocolate' refers specifically to ice cream that has been flavored with chocolate or includes chocolate components.
helado de fresa
strawberry ice cream
The Spanish phrase 'helado de fresa' translates to 'strawberry ice cream' in English. This is a common dessert item enjoyed worldwide. 'Helado' is the general Spanish term for 'ice cream', and 'fresa' stands for 'strawberry'. This term can be seen in many Spanish-speaking regions on menus at ice cream shops, in supermarkets, and at restaurants.
helado de turrón
nougat ice cream
The Spanish phrase 'helado de turrón' translates to 'nougat ice cream' in English. It is a popular dessert in Spain, especially during the holiday season. 'Helado' is the Spanish word for 'ice cream' and 'turrón' refers to a specific type of Spanish nougat made with honey, sugar, egg whites, and nuts. This type of ice cream is often made by blending turrón into a creamy ice cream base, creating a sweet and nutty treat.
helado de vainilla
vanilla ice cream
The Spanish phrase 'helado de vainilla' translates to 'vanilla ice cream' in English. It is a popular dessert made from cream, sugar and vanilla beans, that is often served cold. This flavor is appreciated for its characteristics sweet and delicate taste that perfectly pairs with other desserts like cakes or fruits.
hervir
boil
The Spanish word 'hervir' translates to 'boil' in English. It is a verb that is used to describe the process of heating a liquid, often water, until it reaches a temperature at which it bubbles and turns to vapor. The action of boiling is commonly used in cooking, especially when preparing foods like pasta, eggs, or certain vegetables. The verb 'hervir' can also be used metaphorically to describe intense feelings or emotions, much like the English phrase 'boiling with anger'.
hervir agua
boil water
The Spanish phrase 'hervir agua' translates to 'boil water' in English. In this phrase, 'hervir' is a Spanish verb that refers to the process of heating a liquid (in this case, water) until it starts to bubble and turn to vapour. This term is commonly used in cooking context in Spanish-speaking countries.
hervir leche
boil milk
The Spanish phrase 'hervir leche' translates to 'boil milk' in English. It's a common instruction in Spanish recipes, similar to how an English recipe might call for you to 'simmer soup' or 'melt butter'. When you hervir leche, it means you're heating up the milk to a temperature where it starts to bubble and steam, but you usually won't let it get so hot that it scalds or burns. Remember, just as with English boiling instructions, always keep an eye on the milk to prevent it from overflowing!
huevo de avestruz
ostrich egg
The Spanish phrase 'huevo de avestruz' translates to 'ostrich egg' in English. An ostrich egg is the egg laid by an ostrich, a species of large flightless bird native to Africa. These eggs are the largest of any living bird, and have been known to be used in various ways, such as for food, in art, or even as containers, throughout history and across different cultures.
huevo de codorniz
quail egg
The Spanish phrase 'huevo de codorniz' translates to 'quail egg' in English. A quail egg is the egg produced by the quail bird, which is notably smaller than the eggs produced by common poultry, such as chickens. Despite their smaller size, quail eggs are often considered a delicacy and they are used in various types of cuisine all over the world. The usage of the phrase 'huevo de codorniz' might be the same as how 'quail egg' is used in English language, whether in culinary context or when likening something to the small size and distinctive speckled appearance of a quail egg.
huevos
eggs
'Huevos' means 'eggs' in Spanish. Eggs are a breakfast staple in many cultures, including those of Spanish-speaking countries, hence making this term fundamental in Spanish vocabulary.
Example sentences with huevos →infusión de manzanilla
infusion of chamomile
The phrase 'infusión de manzanilla' comes from the Spanish language, where 'infusión' translates to 'infusion', typically referred to a drink made by soaking the leaves of a plant or herb in hot water, and 'manzanilla' translates to 'chamomile', a herb that is frequently used in teas. Hence, 'infusión de manzanilla' is seen usually used in Spanish-speaking cultures to talk about a chamomile tea, which is a type of herbal tea that is appreciated for its warm, floral flavor and its potential health benefits, including reducing inflammation, aiding sleep, and calming anxiety.
infusión de poleo
infusion of pollen
The Spanish term 'infusión de poleo' does not translate to 'infusion of pollen' in English. It actually means 'pennyroyal infusion'. Pennyroyal is a plant that is commonly used in herbal teas in Spain. In this context, 'infusión' refers to the process of extracting medicinal or flavorful properties from the plant in hot water, and 'poleo' is a type of plant in the mint family known for its strong aroma.
infusión de tila
lime infusion
The term 'infusión de tila' in Spanish refers to a type of herbal tea or infusion made from the flowers of the lime tree (Tilia). Widely enjoyed across Spain and Latin America, this infusion is often consumed for its calming effects and pleasant, mildly sweet taste.
ingerir
ingesting
The word 'ingerir' in Spanish translates to 'ingest' in English. It is a verb which means to take (food, drink, or another substance) into the body by swallowing or absorbing it. It is often used in medical or scientific context, and can also be used more generally to mean consume or intake something.
ingrediente
ingredient
The Spanish word 'ingrediente' translates to 'ingredient' in English. It refers to any of the foods or substances that are combined to make a particular dish or meal. For instance, an important ingrediente in a pizza could be cheese, and in a sandwich, it could be bread or ham. The use of this word is widespread in cooking and culinary activities where different substances are combined to create various dishes.
ingredientes
ingredients
The Spanish word 'ingredientes' translates to 'ingredients' in English. It is primarily used in the context of food preparation and recipes. Just like in English, 'ingredientes' denotes any item or substance that is used as a component part in creating a prepared dish or food item. It forms a critical part of understanding cooking, baking, and other culinary methodologies. The knowledge of 'ingredientes' serves as an enabler for ensuring accurate translation of menus, recipes or shopping lists from Spanish to English.
insípido
insipid
The Spanish word 'insípido' translates to 'insipid' in English. In both languages, the term is typically used to describe something that is lacking in flavour or interest. It can be used in different contexts; for example, it can describe food that is bland or unappetizing, or it can also denote an activity or idea that is dull or uninspiring. This adjective, insípido, can be very useful when talking about experiences that are not particularly entertaining or stimulating.
insulso
bland
The Spanish word 'insulso' is an adjective that is used to describe something that is lacking in flavor, character, or interest. In English, this word can be translated as 'bland'. It can be used to refer to food that is not seasoned well and doesn't have a tasty flavor. Additionally, it can also be used to critique a movie, book, or an event that is not interesting or engaging.
interrumpir la digestión
interrupt digestion
The Spanish phrase 'interrumpir la digestión' translates to 'interrupt digestion' in English. This is generally used to express the act of disrupting the process of breaking down food into smaller parts, so the body can use them to build and nourish cells and provide energy. It's often used in medical or colloquial context when certain activities, illnesses, or substances cause a disruption or halt in the normal digestion process.
jamón serrano
Serbian ham
The Spanish term 'jamón serrano' actually translates to 'mountain ham' in English, not 'serbian ham'. This refers a type of dry-cured ham from the Sierra mountains in Spain. It is a term that covers all Spanish ham which is served raw and cured for around a year. The flavor is rich, salty and deeply satisfying, typically sliced thin for appetizers or incorporated into a variety of Spanish dishes.
jamón York
York ham
The term 'jamón York' refers to a specific type of ham that is commonly consumed in Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries. It is known as 'York ham' in English. From a culinary standpoint, this type of ham is mild in flavor and is often used in sandwiches, tapas, and other dishes. Despite its Spanish name, York ham originates from England, specifically the historic town of York, where this style of curing ham was first implemented. This has led to its unique taste and texture which is appreciated by many food enthusiasts around the world.
kilo de filetes
kilo of fillets
The Spanish phrase 'kilo de filetes' translates to 'kilo of fillets' in English. This is often used in reference to buying meat, where the word 'kilo' is a unit of weight measurement similar to pounds in English speaking countries, but metric based, and 'filetes' refers to a style of cut, generally thin, and can apply to various types of meat, including beef, chicken, or fish.