cocina
/koˈθina/
The English word 'cuisine' is translated into Spanish as cocina.
cocina is the most common and widely used term for cuisine in Spanish. While it specifically refers to a characteristic style of preparing food, it is also used to mean the physical 'kitchen' room. Other related terms include gastronomía, which refers to the art and science of cooking with a more sophisticated connotation and arte culinario, used for the artistic and creative aspects of cooking. Additionally, comida literally means 'food' but is often used to refer to cuisine in general.
Meaning: characteristic style of preparing food (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the phrase la cocina española is commonly used to emphasize Spanish cuisine as a whole.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are referring to a specific type of cuisine, such as 'French cuisine', you use the feminine article la (e.g., la cocina francesa).
How do you pronounce it?
/koˈθina/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use cocina to mean the activity of 'cooking' (the act of preparing food).
Did you know?
- The Spanish word cocina is a direct cognate of the English word 'cuisine', as both descended from the Latin coquīna.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, mentioning la cocina can evoke a deeply sentimental connection to a family matriarch, as the word bridges the physical space of the home and the ancestral flavors of a family's heritage.
- The term gastronomía is not just a fancy version of cocina, but is often used in Spanish to describe the formal academic study of food and its history.
Examples in context
- Me gusta la cocina japonesa.I like Japanese cuisine.This sentence is useful for expressing a preference for a specific cuisine using cocina.Tatoeba #676847 by Shishir, translation #9010280 by deniko
- ¿Os gusta la cocina japonesa?Do you like Japanese cuisine?This sentence is useful for asking a group if they like a specific cuisine using cocina.Tatoeba #2212564 by Shishir, translation #7964616 by AlanF_US
- La cocina francesa es excelente.French cuisine is excellent.This sentence is useful for describing the quality of a specific cuisine using cocina.Tatoeba #3377787 by Shishir, translation #3378516 by hoffmania
- La cocina francesa es famosa en todo el mundoFrench cuisine is famous worldwide
- La gastronomía italiana es conocida por sus deliciosos platos de pastaItalian cuisine is known for its delicious pasta dishes
- El arte culinario mexicano es reconocido por sus sabores intensos y el uso de ingredientes localesMexican culinary art is recognized for its intense flavors and the use of local ingredients
- Me encanta la comida japonesaI love Japanese cuisine
- La cocina tailandesa es exquisitaThai cuisine is exquisite
- Deliciosa comida españolaDelicious Spanish food
- Tradicionales platos argentinosTraditional Argentinean dishes
- Sabrosa cocina peruanaTasty Peruvian cuisine
- El gazpacho andaluz es ideal para el verano.Andalusian gazpacho is perfect for summer
- Me encanta la comida yucatecaI love Yucatecan cuisine
- Degustemos la gastronomía argentinaLet's taste Argentinean gastronomy
- La cocina española es rica en sabores y tradicionesSpanish cuisine is rich in flavors and traditions
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are deciding where to eat dinner.
- Daniel¿Qué tipo de cocina prefieres, Lucía?What kind of cuisine do you prefer, Lucía?
- LucíaMe encanta la cocina tailandesa.I love Thai cuisine.
- DanielA mí también me gusta mucho.I like it a lot too.
- LucíaEntonces busquemos un restaurante asiático.Then let's look for an Asian restaurant.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cocina, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cocina, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
