ajonjolí
/axonxoˈli/standard
The Spanish word for sesame is ajonjolí, both the plant and its seeds. Say it ah-hon-hoh-LEE, with the stress on the last syllable. Sésamo is another word for the same thing.
Meaning: sesame, the plant and its edible seeds (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ajonjolí | /axonxoˈli/ | standard |
| sésamo | standard |
You will see ajonjolí on bread, in sauces and on snack labels. It is a masculine noun, so you say el ajonjolí. Sesame oil is aceite de ajonjolí and sesame seeds are semillas de ajonjolí.
Which one should you use?
Sésamo is the other common word. Both mean sesame, and both are understood by Spanish speakers everywhere.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural is ajonjolíes. The accent mark stays on the last syllable, so the plural is said ah-hon-hoh-LEE-es.
How do you pronounce it?
The letter j is a strong h sound made at the back of the throat, like the ch in Scottish "loch" but softer. The accent mark on the í tells you to stress the last syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often say the j like the j in "jam". In Spanish it sounds like an English h.
Did you know?
- The famous magic phrase "Open sesame" from the story of Ali Baba is ¡Ábrete, sésamo! in Spanish.
Examples in context
- El pan tiene ajonjolí por encima.The bread has sesame seeds on top.
- Compré una bolsa de ajonjolí.I bought a bag of sesame seeds.
- Fríe las verduras en aceite de ajonjolí.Fry the vegetables in sesame oil.
Example conversation
Marta buys bread from the baker Luis.
- MartaBuenos días, ¿tiene pan con ajonjolí?Good morning, do you have bread with sesame seeds?
- LuisSí, acabo de sacarlo del horno.Yes, I just took it out of the oven.
- MartaPerfecto, me llevo dos.Perfect, I will take two.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ajonjolí, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of .
