cacao
/kaˈkao/masculine
cacao is the Spanish word for cacao.
cacao refers to the *Theobroma cacao* seed. In technical or botanical contexts, it is used to describe the raw seed or the plant, whereas the word chocolate is used for the processed food product.
Meaning: Theobroma cacao seed (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Venezuela, cacao is used to refer to both the plant and the processed product.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaˈkao/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, the phrase estás como el cacao is used colloquially to suggest someone is acting crazy or confused.
- Historically, cacao beans were so highly valued in Mesoamerica that they were used as a form of currency to buy goods and services.
- The Spanish word cacao is a doublet of the English word 'cocoa', meaning both words evolved from the same original source word in the Nahuatl language.
Examples in context
- El árbol del cacao crece con humedad y calor.The cacao tree grows with moisture and heat.This sentence is useful for describing the environmental requirements of the cacao tree.Tatoeba #3025037 by hayastan, translation #12344052 by Miktsoanit
- Los árboles del cacao crecen bien en bosques tropicales.Cacao trees thrive in rainforests.This sentence is useful for describing where cacao trees thrive.Tatoeba #5624248 by albrusgher, translation #5354810 by Hybrid
- El cacao es un cultivo importante en muchos países tropicales.Cacao is an important crop in many tropical countries.
- Me encanta el chocolate caliente hecho con cacao en polvo.I love hot chocolate made with cocoa powder.
- El cacao se usa para hacer chocolate.Cacao is used to make chocolate.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are looking at an ingredient list.
- ElenaEste producto tiene mucho cacao.This product has a lot of cocoa.
- MateoMe gusta que tenga un sabor intenso.I like that it has an intense flavor.
- ElenaEl cacao puro es muy saludable.Pure cocoa is very healthy.
- MateoTienes razón, Elena.You are right, Elena.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cacao” translations and entries cacao, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cacao, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
