batir
/baˈtiɾ/
The English verb 'churn' can be translated into Spanish as batir or agitar.
Meaning: agitate rapidly (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| batir | /baˈtiɾ/ |
| agitar | /axiˈtaɾ/ |
In a culinary context, use batir for the process of churning cream to make butter or when whisking and beating ingredients like eggs to incorporate air. If you are referring to the physical motion of shaking or agitating a liquid or an object, use agitar.
Which one should you use?
The choice between the two words depends on the context of the motion. Use batir for culinary processes like beating, whipping or churning butter. Use agitar when the focus is on the physical act of shaking or general agitation of an object or liquid.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/baˈtiɾ/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, when someone breaks a world record, they use the verb batir, as in batir un récord.
- To describe inciting a crowd or stirring up political trouble, Spanish speakers use the phrase agitar las masas.
- The Spanish verb batir shares a common ancestor with the English word 'batter', as both evolved from the Latin 'battere', meaning to strike or beat.
Examples in context
- La mezcla se agita durante una horaThe mixture is churned for an hour
- La agricultora usaba un palo de madera para revolver la leche y hacer mantequilla.The farmer used a wooden stick to churn the milk and make butter.
- Hay que batir los huevos rápidamente.You have to beat the eggs rapidly.
- Ella empezó a batir la crema.She started to churn the cream.
- No dejes de batir la mezcla.Don't stop churning the mixture.
Example conversation
In a kitchen, preparing dessert.
- MaríaMateo, ¿puedes batir la crema?Mateo, can you churn the cream?
- MateoSí, la voy a batir ahora.Yes, I am going to churn it now.
- MaríaRecuerda batir con mucha fuerza.Remember to churn with a lot of force.
- MateoNo te preocupes, lo haré.Don't worry, I will do it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “churn” translations and entries batir, agitar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries agitar, batir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
