Spanish common food vocabulary spans delicious staples and everyday ingredients essential for any kitchen. Here are some key categories:
- Fruits (Frutas): manzana (apple), plátano (banana), naranja (orange), fresa (strawberry), uva (grape)
- Vegetables (Verduras/Vegetales): zanahoria (carrot), tomate (tomato), cebolla (onion), lechuga (lettuce), papa (potato)
- Meats (Carnes): pollo (chicken), cerdo (pork), res (beef), pescado (fish), carne de res (red meat)
- Dairy (Lácteos): leche (milk), queso (cheese), yogur (yogurt), mantequilla (butter)
- Staples (Básicos): pan (bread), arroz (rice), pasta (pasta), huevo (egg), aceite (oil), azúcar (sugar)
CommonFoodsESES.pdf
Fruits (Frutas)
Fruit is a sweet and healthy category, essential for snack, dessert, and breakfast vocab.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Manzana | Apple |
| Plátano | Banana |
| Naranja | Orange |
| Fresa | Strawberry |
| Uva | Grape |
| Limón | Lemon |
| Melocotón | Peach |
- Fruits are called frutas.
- Many fruit names are similar in Spanish and English due to Latin roots.
Fruit Exercise: Match these fruit names with pictures: manzana, fresa, plátano, uva, naranja.
Vegetables (Verduras/Vegetales)
Vegetables fuel savory dishes; both verduras and vegetales mean vegetables in Spanish.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Zanahoria | Carrot |
| Tomate | Tomato |
| Cebolla | Onion |
| Lechuga | Lettuce |
| Papa | Potato |
| Pepino | Cucumber |
| Ajo | Garlic |
- Verduras → usually green/leafy vegetables; Vegetales → more general.
- Spanish veggies often star in stews, salads, and sides.
Vegetable Exercise: Write a recipe name using at least 3 vegetables in Spanish.
Meats (Carnes)
Meats are central to many main courses. “Carne” generally means meat, but also specifically “red meat.”
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Pollo | Chicken |
| Cerdo | Pork |
| Res | Beef |
| Pescado | Fish |
| Mariscos | Seafood |
| Jamón | Ham |
| Salchicha | Sausage |
- Pollo is poultry; pescado is fish (used as food); mariscos are shellfish.
- Meat dishes often pair with staples like rice or potatoes.
Meat Exercise: List all meat proteins you'd find in a traditional Spanish market (mercado).
Dairy (Lácteos)
Dairy products (lácteos) are important for breakfasts, snacks, and cooking.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Leche | Milk |
| Queso | Cheese |
| Yogur | Yogurt |
| Mantequilla | Butter |
| Nata/Crema | Cream |
- Cheese (queso) is widely varied and popular.
- Yogurt (yogur) is often eaten with fruit or honey.
Dairy Exercise: Compare how you use dairy in Spanish cuisine vs. your own diet.
Staples (Básicos)
Staple foods (básicos) form the foundation of most meals.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Pan | Bread |
| Arroz | Rice |
| Pasta | Pasta |
| Huevo | Egg |
| Aceite | Oil |
| Azúcar | Sugar |
| Sal | Salt |
- Bread (pan) and olive oil (aceite de oliva) are especially crucial in Spain.
- Eggs (huevos) are used in many dishes from breakfast to dinner.
Staples Exercise: Name three staple foods that would be essential for packing a lunch in Spain.
Conclusion
Mastering common food words in Spanish opens doors to everyday conversation, travel, and culinary adventures.
- Spanish food vocab includes fruits, veggies, meats, dairy, and staples.
- Many words share roots with English, helping memorization.
- Knowing these basics lets you read menus, shop, and chat about food with confidence.