pan
/ˈpan/masculine
pan is the Spanish word for bread.
The word pan refers to baked dough made from cereals. You may also encounter the idiomatic expression un pan de Dios to describe someone who is exceptionally kind or virtuous, meaning they are a saint or a very good person.
Meaning: baked dough made from cereals (noun)
Which one should you use?
While pan is the standard term, the diminutive panecito is used to refer specifically to a small bread or a small portion of bread.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, the term pan francés is used to describe French bread or baguettes.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
pan is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈpan/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the term pan de muerto is used for a specific sweet bread, but it is not actually meant to be eaten by the dead.
- The Spanish word pan is closely related to the English word 'companion', which originally described someone you share bread with.
- In some regions, the phrase ganarse el pan is used to describe earning a living, mirroring the English expression 'bringing home the bacon'.
Examples in context
- Tú eres un pan.You're a bread.This sentence shows how pan can be used metaphorically to describe a person.Tatoeba #1241320 by marcelostockle, translation #1241061 by Scott
- Me comí mi pan.I ate my bread.This sentence demonstrates the use of pan in a simple sentence about eating.Tatoeba #13611187 by Lernema, translation #13609880 by Babelball
- Me gusta el pan.I like bread.This sentence shows how to express a preference for pan.Tatoeba #4482654 by cueyayotl, translation #3254621 by CK
- Por favor, ¿me puedes pasar el pan?Can you pass me the bread, please?
- Me encanta el olor a pan recién horneado.I love the smell of freshly baked bread.
- Voy a comprar unos panecillos para la cena.I'm going to buy some bread rolls for dinner.
- En Argentina, el pan francés es muy popular.In Argentina, French bread is very popular.
- 285 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are in the kitchen preparing breakfast.
- Alejandro¿Puedes comprar más pan mañana?Can you buy more bread tomorrow?
- MaríaSí, compraré el pan fresco.Yes, I will buy fresh bread.
- AlejandroGracias, María. Quiero pan tostado ahora.Thanks, María. I want toasted bread now.
- MaríaEstá bien, Alejandro. Uso el tostador.All right, Alejandro. I'll use the toaster.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bread” translations and entries pan, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pan, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
