clavos de olor
/klabos de oloɾ/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for cloves is clavos de olor.
clavos de olor is used to refer to the dried flower buds of a tropical tree used as a spice in cooking.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'nails of smell' because clavo means nail and olor means smell or scent.
Which one should you use?
While clavos de olor refers specifically to the spice cloves, the word clavos on its own refers to metal nails. Use the singular form clavo de olor when referring to a single clove.
Did you know?
- In some traditional Spanish recipes, clavos de olor are used not just for flavor but as a traditional remedy to soothe toothaches due to their numbing properties.
- The Spanish word clavo is used for both the spice and the metal nail because the dried flower bud looks exactly like a small nail.
- Unlike English, where 'clove' comes from the French word for 'cleft', Spanish describes the spice by its shape and its scent.
Examples in context
- En esta receta necesitarás agregar clavos de olor para realzar el sabor.In this recipe, you will need to add cloves to enhance the flavor.
- Añade un poco de clavos de olor al guiso.Add a little cloves to the stew.
- Necesito comprar clavos de olor en la tienda.I need to buy cloves at the store.
- El aroma de los clavos de olor es muy intenso.The aroma of the cloves is very intense.
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are preparing a traditional spiced cider.
- Lucía¿Tienes clavos de olor para la bebida?Do you have cloves for the drink?
- AlejandroSí, los tengo en la alacena.Yes, I have them in the pantry.
- LucíaPerfecto, pon un par de clavos de olor en la olla.Perfect, put a couple of cloves in the pot.
- AlejandroMuy bien, ya los estoy añadiendo.Very well, I am adding them now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
