Learn About Nouns in Spanish
This page provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and using nouns in Spanish. Includes examples and exercises.
carne de pollo
chicken meat
'Carne de pollo' is a Spanish phrase that translates into English as 'chicken meat'. It is commonly used in various contexts, particularly in reference to food and culinary practices. It is important to note that in Spanish, the noun comes before adjectives unlike in English where adjectives typically precede the noun. Therefore, 'carne de pollo' is directly translated as 'meat of chicken', but is understood in English as 'chicken meat'. This phrase can be utilized when ordering food in a restaurant, grocery shopping, or discussing recipes.
carne de ternera
beef
The Spanish term 'carne de ternera' refers to the culinary name for meat from cattle, particularly skeletal muscle. In English, this is commonly known as 'beef'. This term is widely used in Spanish-speaking countries and is found in various dishes ranging from casseroles to grills. Beef is a source of protein and is rich in essential nutrients like iron, zinc, and vitamins B12 and B6.
carne guisada
beef stew
The Spanish term 'carne guisada' translates to 'beef stew' in English. This term refers to a traditional dish popular in various parts of the world including Spain and Latin America. It is a hearty dish comprising beef that has been slowly simmered until tender in a richly flavored broth with aromatic herbs, spices, vegetables, and occasionally wine or beer. The resultant stew is often served with rice, potatoes, or bread.
carrera
race
The word 'carrera' in Spanish is commonly used in the context of a foot race, car race, or any sort of competitive event involving speed. However, it's important to note that it can also refer to a course of study in a university or college in the same way 'degree' is used in English.
Example sentences with carrera →carretera
road
The Spanish word 'carretera' is used to refer to a long, hard surface built for vehicles to travel along. This can refer to both smaller roads in rural areas, as well as major highways. It can be used in a variety of contexts, similar to the English usage of the term 'road'.
Example sentences with carretera →carta
letter
In Spanish, the word 'carta' is commonly used to refer to a written, typed, or printed communication, sent in an envelope by post or messenger. It can be a personal letter or an official letter. However, keep in mind that 'letter' can also be translated as 'letra', specifically when referring to a character representing one or more of the sounds used in speech.
Example sentences with carta →cartero
postman
A 'cartero' is an individual who delivers mail to residences and businesses, typically on a set route and schedule. This job involves both receiving and distributing mail.
Example sentences with cartero →casa
house
'Casa' in Spanish means house. This is a building for human habitation, especially one that consists of a ground floor and one or more upper storeys.
Example sentences with casa →casarse
marriage
The Spanish term 'casarse' does not directly translate to 'marriage' in English. It is a verb, which means 'to get married'. Used in a sentence, 'casarse' refers to the act of entering into a marriage union or ceremony. For instance, in the sentence 'Ellos van a casarse', it means 'They are going to get married'.
casilla
square
The Spanish word 'casilla' translates to 'square' in English. It can refer to a physical square shape, a place on a game board, a checkbox or a smaller segmented area within a larger space. The term 'casilla' is widely used in a variety of contexts, such as architecture, design, literature, and games like chess.
cazo
saucepan
The Spanish word 'cazo' translates to 'saucepan' in English. It is a deep, long-handled pan used especially for cooking food over an open fire or on a stove. This term can be found used in various recipes and menus in Spanish-speaking countries, implying to use a saucepan for the cooking process.
cebolla
onion
The word 'cebolla' in Spanish translates into English as 'onion'. Onions are a vegetable commonly used around the world in all types of cooking for their flavorful contribution to many dishes. They can be white, yellow, or red, and from sweet to sharp in flavor. They usually have layers and a firm texture, and are known to cause teary eyes when cut due to synthesizing the chemical irritants.
ceja
eyebrow
The Spanish word 'ceja' is translated into English as 'eyebrow'. It pertains to the thin strip of hair above each of your eyes, which follows the shape of the edge of the upper eyelid. Eyebrows are a prominent feature in our facial expressions and serve to prevent sweat, water, and other debris from falling down into the eye socket.
celebración
celebration
The Spanish word 'celebración' is used to refer to any kind of celebration. This could be a birthday, a wedding, or a holiday like Christmas. Just as in English, it can be used to speak about both the act of celebrating and the event being celebrated. For example, 'La celebración de su cumpleaños fue muy divertida' (Her birthday celebration was very fun).
Example sentences with celebración →célula
cell
The Spanish word 'célula' is used similarly to the English word 'cell'. It can represent the smallest structural and functional unit of an organism, typically microscopic and consisting of cytoplasm and a nucleus enclosed in a membrane. It can also refer to a small group forming a nucleus of political activity, especially a secret, subversive organization. The context will determine its usage.
Example sentences with célula →centro
center
The Spanish word 'centro' is used in similar contexts as the English term 'center'. It can refer both to the middle point of a physical object, such as 'el centro de la ciudad' (the city center), and to the focus of attention or activity, as in 'el centro de atención' (the center of attention). It is also used in certain specific phrases, like 'centro comercial' meaning 'shopping center'.
Example sentences with centro →cepillo de dientes
toothbrush
The Spanish phrase 'cepillo de dientes' translates to 'toothbrush' in English. This is a tool used in personal oral hygiene to clean one's teeth, usually in conjunction with toothpaste or mouthwash. The brush generally has a small head of bristles that is held against the teeth, while the handle of the brush is held by hand.
Example sentences with cepillo de dientes →cerdo
pig
A pig is a domesticated large and stout-bodied animal with a thick bristly skin, a long flexible snout, and a tail. Pigs are kept as livestock mainly for their meat (pork).
Example sentences with cerdo →cereales
cereals
The Spanish word 'cereales' is a collective term that represents an English equivalent term 'cereals'. This term broadly refers to any grass that produces an edible grain, such as rice, corn, wheat, barley, etc., often utilized for foods like breakfast cereals, bread, and pasta. It's pronounced as 'se-re-a-les' in Spanish. Its primary use is in the context of food and agriculture.
cerebro
brain
The word 'cerebro' is used to refer to the brain in Spanish. It is typically used in a similar context as in English, referring to the organ inside your head that controls thought, memory, feelings, and activity.
Example sentences with cerebro →cereza
cherry
A cherry is the fruit of many plants of the genus Prunus, and is a fleshy drupe (stone fruit). They are small and round, often bright red in color, and are sweet or sour in taste.
Example sentences with cereza →cerveza
beer
The Spanish word 'cerveza' refers to a popular alcoholic beverage known widely in English as 'beer'. This beverage is traditionally made from barley or other grains, yeast, hops, and water. It comes in various types and flavors depending upon the brewing process and the region it's brewed in. Consumption of 'cerveza' is widely incorporated into many aspects of culture in Spanish speaking countries, from social gatherings to special occasions or celebrations.
cerveza de barril
beer keg
The Spanish phrase 'cerveza de barril' translates to 'beer keg' in English. A beer keg is a cylindrical container, typically constructed from aluminum, used for transporting, storing, and serving beer. Its specific use is predominantly seen in bars and restaurants, where it's hooked up to a draft system for serving beer directly to customers. It is worth noting that the word by word translation of 'cerveza de barril' means 'beer from barrel', emphasizing how traditionally beer was stored and served from wooden barrels.
chamba
job
In Peru and other Andean countries, 'chamba' is a popular term used to refer to a job or work.
Example sentences with chamba →champú
shampoo
The Spanish word 'champú' translates to 'shampoo' in English. It is used to refer to a liquid substance or preparation, often containing several synthetic detergents, that is used for cleaning hair. It is usually applied on wet hair, massaged onto the scalp, and rinsed off afterwards. Its purpose is to remove dirt, dandruff, oils, and other particles that can be present on the hair. Shampoo may also contain ingredients for added shine, volume, smoothness, or to prevent hair loss.
Example sentences with champú →chándal
tracksuit
The Spanish word 'chándal' translates to 'tracksuit' in English. This is a type of comfortable, casual clothing that typically consists of a loose-fitting jacket and trousers, often made of soft, flexible materials like cotton or polyester. It is primarily used for sport activities but has also become a popular choice for casual everyday wear. The equivalent term in American English might be 'sweatsuit' or 'sweat suit'.
chaparrón
chaperone
The Spanish word 'chaparrón' does not mean 'chaperone' in English. 'Chaparrón' is a term used in Spanish to describe a brief, heavy shower or downpour of rain. It is often used to talk about sudden, unexpected downpours that may last a few minutes before the sky clears up again.
Example sentences with chaparrón →chocolate
chocolate
The Spanish word 'chocolate' translates to 'chocolate' in English. It is a universally popular treat made from cacao seeds, often sweetened and flavored. It can be eaten on its own, or used as an ingredient in foods like cakes, cookies, and drinks.
Ciclismo
Cycling
Cycling is the sport or activity of riding a bicycle. It can be done for transportation, recreation or for competitive racing.
Example sentences with Ciclismo →ciencia
science
In Spanish, 'ciencia' is the term for 'science'. This can be used in the same contexts as in English, including discussions about various academic and professional disciplines such as biology ('la ciencia de la biología'), education ('la ciencia de la educación'), and so on. It can also be used in broader phrases like 'la ciencia y la tecnología' (science and technology).
Example sentences with ciencia →