leche condensada
/ˌlet͡ʃe kondenˈsada/feminine
The English phrase "condensed milk" is leche condensada in Spanish.
The term refers to milk that has been reduced to syrup.
Meaning: milk that has been reduced to syrup (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of leche (milk) and condensada (condensed).
Which one should you use?
Do not confuse leche condensada (which is thick and sweet) with leche evaporada (which is unsweetened).
How does it change in a sentence?
leche condensada is a feminine phrase, so any accompanying adjectives must also be in the feminine form.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌletʃe kondenˈsada/
Did you know?
- The word leche is used as an intensifier in Spain, where saying a toda leche means to do something at full speed or very quickly.
- Adding leche condensada to coffee is not just a topping but a base for the 'Café Bombón' in Spain, where it sits in a thick layer at the bottom of the glass.
- The word leche can be used to describe a sudden fall or a crash in certain dialects, such as saying darse una leche to mean taking a hard tumble.
Examples in context
- ¿Tu bebes café con o sin leche condensada?Do you drink coffee with condensed milk or without?Tatoeba #10044346 by manufrutos, translation #9972755 by ddnktr
- Tom, si vas de compras, por favor compra una lata de leche condensada.Tom, if you go shopping, please buy a can of condensed milk.Tatoeba #13684441 by mervert1, translation #7538940 by CK
- Me gustaría pedir dos latas de leche condensada para la panadería.I would like to order two cans of condensed milk for the bakery.
- Por favor, proporciónenos las especificaciones de la leche condensada que suministran.Please provide us with the specifications of the condensed milk you supply.
- ¿Puedes traer algo de leche condensada cuando vengas?Can you bring some condensed milk when you come over?
- Me gusta el postre con mucha leche condensada.I like dessert with lots of condensed milk.
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are in the kitchen preparing a dessert.
- María¿Tenemos suficiente leche condensada para el pastel?Do we have enough condensed milk for the cake?
- AlejandroNo, creo que falta una lata.No, I think we are missing one can.
- MaríaYo iré a la tienda ahora mismo.I will go to the store right now.
- AlejandroGracias, María, eres muy amable.Thanks, María, you are very kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “condensed milk” translations and entries leche condensada, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
