mazorca
/maˈθoɾka/feminine
The English phrase "corn on the cob" is translated into Spanish as mazorca. Wiktionary also lists mazorca de maíz.
Meaning: cooked ears of corn (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| mazorca | /maˈθoɾka/ /maˈsoɾka/ |
feminine |
| mazorca de maíz | /maθoɾka de maiθ/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /masoɾka de mais/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
feminine |
While mazorca refers to the cob or ear structure itself, you may see it used in the phrase mazorca de maíz to specify the type of grain.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase mazorca de maíz literally translates to "ear of corn," where mazorca is the ear or cob and maíz is corn.
Which one should you use?
Mazorca refers specifically to the physical cob or ear structure. In contrast, maíz refers to the grain or the crop in general.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, Central America and parts of the Caribbean, the word elote is commonly used to mean "corn on the cob".
How does it change in a sentence?
Both mazorca and mazorca de maíz are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/maˈθoɾka/
Did you know?
- The word maíz has a completely different history than the word mazorca. While mazorca comes from Arabic, maíz was borrowed from the Taíno language of the Caribbean.
- While mazorca refers to the ear of corn, in some contexts it can also refer to a cluster of bananas.
- In many Spanish-speaking street food contexts, an elote is often served with toppings like mayonnaise, cheese, and chili powder, which is a specific cultural preparation.
Examples in context
- Mi alimento favorito es la pasta alfredo con hongos, tomate y mazorca en el lado.My favorite food is alfredo pasta with mushrooms, tomatoes and corn on the cob on the side.This sentence shows how to use mazorca when describing a favorite food.Tatoeba #9141693 by rafaeldejesus8199, translation #9141700 by rafaeldejesus8199
- Hola amigos, ¿les gustaría comer un delicioso elote hoy?Hi friends, would you like to eat a delicious corn on the cob today?
- Por favor, ¿me podría traer una mazorca de maíz?Could you please bring me a corn on the cob?
- Hoy se ofrece mazorca de maíz como parte del menú principal.Today, corn on the cob is being served as part of the main menu.
- La mazorca está muy tierna.The corn on the cob is very tender.
- Me gusta la mazorca con mantequilla y sal.I like corn on the cob with butter and salt.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are at a backyard barbecue.
- Alejandro¿Quieres una mazorca de la parrilla?Do you want a corn on the cob from the grill?
- LucíaSí, por favor, se ve deliciosa.Yes, please, it looks delicious.
- AlejandroAquí tienes tu mazorca caliente.Here is your hot corn on the cob.
- LucíaMuchas gracias, Alejandro.Thank you very much, Alejandro.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “corn on the cob” translations and entries mazorca, 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 de, mazorca, maíz, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
