Kitchenware and Table Vocabulary
A collection of Spanish words related to kitchenware and table settings. Ideal for beginners learning Spanish.
juego de café
coffee set
The Spanish phrase 'juego de café' translates to 'coffee set' in English. This is a matching set of items that serve the purpose of making, serving, and possibly drinking coffee. The exact components of a coffee set may differ, but in general, it can include items such as a coffee pot, coffee cups, saucers, a milk jug, and a sugar bowl. The phrase can be used in both literal and figurative settings, describing the physical items or the act of gathering to drink coffee.
juego de té
tea set
The Spanish term 'juego de té' translates to 'tea set' in English. A 'tea set' is traditionally a collection of dishes and drinking vessels, usually made out of ceramic, glass, or metal materials, used for brewing and serving tea. In addition to the teapot, a typical tea set might include a sugar bowl, cream or milk jug, and tea cups with matching saucers. 'Juego de té' hence refers to a similar concept in Spanish speaking cultures, offering a way to present and enjoy tea in a formal or casual situation.
mantelería
tablecloths
The Spanish word 'mantelería' translates to 'tablecloths' in English. It is often used in contexts involving dining or kitchenware. A 'mantelería' could refer to a single tablecloth or a collection of tablecloths, typically used to protect the table and enhance aesthetic appeal during meals. In certain Spanish-speaking cultures, it is a common practice to use 'mantelería' for family gatherings, special occasions or everyday dining.
olla (a presión)
pot (pressure)
The Spanish word 'olla (a presión)' translates as 'pot (pressure)' in English. It is a cooking utensil, usually round and deep, typically used for boiling or stewing. When used with 'a presión' it refers to a 'pressure cooker', a special kind of pot which cooks food using pressure created by boiling a liquid, resulting in quicker cooking times.
paño de cocina
kitchen cloth
The term 'paño de cocina' is a Spanish noun, refers to an object that is commonly used in kitchens. In English, 'paño de cocina' means 'kitchen cloth'. This item is typically made of soft, absorbent material and is used for wiping dishes, cleaning surfaces, or drying hands in the kitchen. It is a household essential and can be found in almost every home, regardless of the country or culture.
picadora
chopper
The Spanish word 'picadora' translates to 'chopper' in English. This can refer to multiple things such as a tool used to chop food into smaller pieces, a type of motorcycle, or even a type of helicopter. The context in which 'picadora' is used will determine its exact meaning in English.
picar carne
chop meat
The Spanish phrase 'picar carne' translates to 'chop meat' in English. This is commonly used in various cooking methods and recipes where one needs to cut meat into small pieces. The phrase itself 'picar' means 'to chop or mince', and 'carne' means 'meat'. Therefore, 'picar carne' can be used whenever you need to refer to the action of chopping, mincing, or dicing meat in a culinary context.
plato de postre
dessert plate
The Spanish phrase 'plato de postre' translates to 'dessert plate' in English. This can refer to the dish specifically used to serve desserts, which is usually smaller in size than a regular dining plate. Dessert plates are typically used for serving sweet dishes after a meal, such as cakes, pastries, fruits or other types of desserts. The phrase can also be used metaphorically, referring to the dessert part of a meal or even a specific dessert being served.
plato hondo
dish hondo
The Spanish phrase 'plato hondo' translates to 'deep dish' in English. A 'plato hondo' is a type of dishware, typically larger and deeper than a standard plate. It is most commonly used for serving foods that have more liquid, like soups or stews.
plato llano
Plain dish
The Spanish term 'plato llano' translates to 'plain dish' in English. It commonly refers to a basic, simple dish without any fancy ingredients or complex preparation methods. It could also refer to an unadorned, simple plate in terms of dishware.
plato sopero
soup plate
The Spanish term 'plato sopero' translates to 'soup plate' in English. A 'plato sopero' is a deep dish designed specifically for serving and eating soup. The depth of the plate helps to contain the liquid of the soup and avoid spills. In a traditional table setting, a 'plato sopero' may be placed on top of a dinner plate as part of the table arrangement for a meal, especially in formal settings. This tableware plays a crucial role in not just serving soup, but also enhancing the overall dining experience.
poner el lavavajillas
put the dishwasher
The Spanish phrase 'poner el lavavajillas' translates to 'put the dishwasher' in English. However, it's typically used in context to mean 'to load the dishwasher'. For instance, someone might tell their child to 'poner el lavavajillas' after dinner, which implies they should clear the table and put the dirty dishes into the dishwasher.
poner la mesa
set the table
The Spanish phrase 'poner la mesa' translates into English as 'set the table'. It is a Spanish idiom used to refer to the process of arranging the table before meal times, for instance, placing the cutleries, plates, and glasses on the table. People often use this phrase in the context of preparing for meals at home, in restaurants, or any dining situation. It is an essential phrase to learn as it forms a big part of the daily household chores in Spanish speaking cultures.
poner los platos
put the dishes
The Spanish phrase 'poner los platos' translates to 'put the dishes' in English. It's typically used in the context of setting the table for a meal. Similar to English, the phrase can vary slightly based on the context. For example, 'poner los platos en la mesa' means 'put the dishes on the table' in English, often referencing the action of preparing the table for eating.
quitar la mesa
remove the table
The phrase 'quitar la mesa' in Spanish refers to the act of clearing the table after a meal. It is a common household chore where all the dishes, utensils, and left-over food are removed from the table. The items are typically taken to the kitchen for cleaning and storage. In English, it could be translated as 'clear the table' or 'remove the table' but the first translation is more accurate in most contexts.
quitar los platos
remove the dishes
The Spanish phrase 'quitar los platos' translates to 'remove the dishes' in English. It is a common phrase used in contexts involving clearing, cleaning, or setting the table. 'Quitar' is a verb that means 'to remove' or 'to take away', and 'los platos' refers to 'the dishes'. So, when combined, it refers to the act of removing or taking away the dishes.
recipiente
container
The Spanish word 'recipiente' translates to 'container' in English. A container can be any object that can be used to hold things, especially for transport or storage. It can be a box, bottle, cask, tin, barrel, bag, or any other object that can contain something else. The word 'recipiente' in Spanish is commonly used in various contexts where one might need to refer to a container or vessel of some sort.
recoger la cocina
clean up the kitchen
The Spanish phrase 'recoger la cocina' translates to 'clean up the kitchen' in English. This is a command or directive, used to instruct someone to tidy up the kitchen area. This might involve activities such as washing the dishes, wiping the counter, or putting things back in their right place. It's a common phrase used in households to maintain cleanliness and order in the kitchen.
recoger la mesa
clean up the table
The Spanish phrase 'recoger la mesa' translates directly to 'pick up the table' in English. However, its idiomatic meaning refers to clearing or cleaning up the table. It is often used in contexts such as after having a meal when someone is expected to clear any dishes, food, or utensils left on the table to make it neat and tidy again.
recoger los platos
pick up the dishes
The Spanish phrase 'recoger los platos' translates to 'pick up the dishes' in English. This is often used in the context of cleaning up after a meal, where you might be asked to 'recoger los platos' from the table. In general, 'recoger' means 'to pick up' or 'to collect', and 'los platos' means 'the dishes'.
sacacorchos
corkscrew
The Spanish word 'sacacorchos' translates to 'corkscrew' in English. It is a tool typically used for drawing corks from wine bottles. It is generally made of a pointed metallic helix (often called the 'worm') attached to a handle, which the user screws into the cork and pulls to extract it. In Spanish, 'saca' means 'take out' or 'pull out', and 'corchos' means 'corks', effectively describing the function of the tool.
sartén
skillet
The Spanish word 'sartén' translates to 'skillet' in English. A skillet is a type of pan used for cooking. It's typically made from metal and has a flat bottom. It is suited for frying, searing, and browning foods. This term is commonly used in both home and professional kitchens, and it's an essential utensil that offers great versatility in cooking. The Spanish word for it, 'sartén', serves the same exact purposes.
servilleta
napkin
The Spanish word 'servilleta' translates to 'napkin' in English. It is a piece of cloth or paper used at the table, to protect the clothes or wipe the mouth and fingers while eating.
taza
cup
The word 'taza' is a noun in Spanish, which translates to 'cup' in English. It is commonly used in situations related to drinking beverages. For instance, you may use 'taza' when asking for a cup of coffee or tea in a Spanish-speaking country. The word 'taza' is derived from the Arabic word 'ṭasa'.
taza de café
cup of coffee
The phrase 'taza de café' in Spanish translates to 'cup of coffee' in English. It consists of three words: 'taza' means cup, 'de' is a preposition that often translates to 'of' in English, and 'café' means coffee. Therefore, this phrase is typically used in Spanish-speaking contexts to refer to a serving of coffee, usually served in a small or medium sized cup.
taza de té
cup of tea
The Spanish phrase 'taza de té' translates to 'cup of tea' in English. The noun 'taza' means 'cup', the conjunction 'de' translates to 'of', and 'té' signifies 'tea'. Thus, the phrase is commonly used in Spanish-speaking environments when referring to a smaller vessel filled with brewed tea. Its practical usage is the same as in English, whether in requesting a cup of tea in a café or simply offering someone tea at home.
trapo de cocina
kitchen rag
The term 'trapo de cocina' in Spanish refers to what is known in English as a 'kitchen rag'. This is a cloth often used in the kitchen for various tasks. Such tasks could include wiping down surfaces, drying dishes, or cleaning up spills. It is a common item found in most kitchens and is useful in keeping the area clean and sanitary.
trocear una manzana
chop an apple
The Spanish phrase 'trocear una manzana' translates to 'chop an apple' in English. It is a verb phrase that refers to the action of cutting an apple into pieces. 'Trocear' is the infinitive form of the verb that means 'to chop' and 'una manzana' is a singular phrase which means 'an apple'. The phrase can be used in various contexts involving cooking or preparing food.
vajilla
crockery
The Spanish word 'vajilla' translates to 'crockery' in English. In everyday usage, the term 'crockery' refers to plates, dishes, cups, and other similar items, usually made of earthenware or china. Thus, 'vajilla' would be used in Spanish when talking about the assorted dishes used for serving and eating meals.
vaso
glass.
The Spanish word 'vaso' translates to 'glass' in English. Commonly, it refers to a container typically made from glass (although it can be made from different materials), which is used to drink liquids such as water, juice or soda. The term is quite general and can refer to different shapes and sizes of containers, from small shot glasses to large tumblers. Less frequently, 'vaso' can also refer to a 'vessel' or 'duct' in a biological context, but this usage is more technical.