albahaca
Mexico
In Mexico basil is albahaca. It is a feminine noun, la albahaca, and the plural is albahacas.
Mexicans use it fresh in salads and pasta, and as a plant in the garden. The leaf is hoja de albahaca.
Meaning: herb (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The h is silent, so it sounds like "al-bah-AH-kah" with the stress on the third syllable.
Did you know?
- Like many Spanish words that begin with al-, albahaca has Arabic roots, a legacy of centuries of contact in Spain.
Examples in context
- Pon un poco de albahaca.Add a bit of basil.
- La pizza lleva hojas de albahaca.The pizza has basil leaves.
- Tengo albahaca en mi jardín.I have basil in my garden.
Example conversation
Beatriz cooks pasta with her son Leo.
- BeatrizLeo, trae la albahaca del patio.Leo, bring the basil from the yard.
- Leo¿Cuántas hojas?How many leaves?
- BeatrizCon cinco está bien.Five is fine.
