hacer pasteles
/aθeɾ pasteles/from spelling rules
The phrase for baking cakes in Spanish is hacer pasteles.
hacer pasteles is used to describe the general activity of making or baking cakes. You might also see the phrase preparando una torta used to mean preparing or baking a cake, or Cubrir un pastel con crema to describe the specific act of frosting a cake.
Which one should you use?
While hacer pasteles is the most natural way to express the general activity of making cakes, hornear pasteles can be used if you want to specifically emphasize the act of cooking them in an oven.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the word pastel is more commonly used than the word torta when referring to a cake.
How do you pronounce it?
/aθeɾ pasteles/
Did you know?
- In many South American countries, if you say you are making pasteles, people might think you are making savory turnovers or fried pastries instead of sweet sponge cakes.
- The verb hacer is derived from the Latin 'facere', which is the same root used for the English word 'factory'.
- The Spanish word pastel can also be used to describe a painting that uses pastels, not just a dessert.
Examples in context
- Me encanta hacer pasteles los domingos.I love baking cakes on Sundays.
- Ella quiere hacer pasteles para la fiesta.She wants to bake cakes for the party.
- ¿Te gusta hacer pasteles de chocolate?Do you like baking chocolate cakes?
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are talking in a kitchen.
- Javier¿Vas a hacer pasteles hoy, Lucía?Are you going to bake cakes today, Lucía?
- LucíaSí, quiero hacer pasteles de fresa.Yes, I want to bake strawberry cakes.
- Javier¡Qué rico! Yo te ayudo.How delicious! I will help you.
- LucíaGracias, Javier, eres muy amable.Thank you, Javier, you are very kind.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hacer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
