cacao
/kaˈkao/
In Spanish, 'cocoa' is translated as cacao.
The term cacao refers to the cocoa plant, the raw material or the substance used to make a hot drink.
Meaning: hot drink (noun)
Which one should you use?
While English distinguishes between 'cacao' (the plant/bean) and 'cocoa' (the processed powder/drink), Spanish often uses cacao to refer to both the raw material and the substance used for the drink.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaˈkao/
When do people say it?
When ordering the hot drink in a cafe, people are more likely to say chocolate caliente than just cacao.
Did you know?
- While cacao refers to the bean, the related word coco is used in Spanish to describe a mythical boogeyman used to frighten children into behaving.
- In Mexico, a popular variation of the drink is champurrado, which thickens the cacao by mixing it with corn masa.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, chocolate caliente is traditionally frothed using a molinillo, a wooden whisk that is spun between the palms.
Examples in context
- ¿De dónde proviene el cacao?Where is cocoa cultivated?This sentence is useful for asking about the origin of cacao.Tatoeba #3219275 by cueyayotl, translation #10652209 by lucasmg123
- El cacao puede ser muy amargo.Cocoa can be very bitter.This sentence describes a possible flavor profile of cacao.Tatoeba #1365283 by hayastan, translation #1687455 by aka_aj
- Esto es cacao.This is cocoa.This sentence is used to identify cacao.Tatoeba #11932213 by Seael, translation #8919180 by CK
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A kitchen in the morning.
- DanielYo preparo el cacao.I am making the cocoa.
- María¿Quieres leche en tu cacao, Daniel?Do you want milk in your cocoa, Daniel?
- DanielSí, por favor.Yes, please.
- MaríaAquí tienes tu cacao caliente.Here is your hot cocoa.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cacao, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
