cilantro
/θiˈlantɾo/masculine
cilantro is the Spanish word for cilantro. Wiktionary also lists coriandro and culantro.
Meaning: leaves of the coriander plant (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cilantro | /θiˈlantɾo/ /siˈlantɾo/ |
masculine |
| coriandro | /koˈɾjandɾo/ | masculine |
| culantro | /kuˈlantɾo/ | masculine |
| recaíto | /rekaito/ (from spelling rules) | Dominican Republic, masculine |
The word refers to the leaves of the coriander plant.
Which one should you use?
While cilantro refers to the common coriander plant, culantro refers to a different, much larger-leafed tropical herb used in similar dishes. Additionally, coriandro is a more technical term for the same plant.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some parts of Spain, particularly in the region of Catalonia, the plant is referred to as coriandro. In the Dominican Republic, recaíto can refer to a specific seasoning base that often includes cilantro.
How does it change in a sentence?
cilantro is a masculine noun, so it is used with the masculine article el.
How do you pronounce it?
/θiˈlantɾo/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word cilantro shares a deep ancient root with the Greek word koríandron, reflecting how the spice traveled through the Mediterranean in antiquity.
- In some Caribbean cultures, culantro is preferred over cilantro because it is more heat-resistant and maintains its flavor better during long boiling processes.
- While the leaves are called cilantro, the seeds of the same plant are often referred to as semillas de coriandro in botanical or culinary contexts.
Examples in context
- El culantro añade un sabor único a la sopa.Cilantro adds a unique flavor to the soup.
- Necesitamos comprar culantro para la receta.We need to buy cilantro for the recipe.
- ¿Podría agregar un poco de culantro a la ensalada, por favor?Could you please add some cilantro to the salad?
- El cilantro es muy fresco.The cilantro is very fresh.
- Necesito comprar cilantro en el mercado.I need to buy cilantro at the market.
- No me gusta el sabor del cilantro.I do not like the taste of cilantro.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are preparing a Mexican dish in their kitchen.
- Alejandro¿Tienes cilantro para los tacos?Do you have cilantro for the tacos?
- SofíaSí, tengo un poco de cilantro en la nevera.Yes, I have a little cilantro in the fridge.
- AlejandroPerfecto, Sofía, corta el cilantro muy fino.Perfect, Sofía, chop the cilantro very finely.
- SofíaClaro, lo prepararé ahora mismo.Of course, I will prepare it right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cilantro” translations and entries cilantro, coriandro, culantro, recaíto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cilantro, coriandro, culantro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
