dona
/ˈdona/
The Spanish word for donut is dona.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the term dona is used to refer to a donut. In certain parts of Argentina, the term berlín is used for a donut.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈdona/
Did you know?
- The word dona is a linguistic traveler that arrived in Spanish by borrowing directly from the English word 'donut'.
- If you are in a bakery in Spain, you might see roscas instead of donas, which refers to a ring-shaped pastry that is often much harder and more traditional than a soft American donut.
- In some Latin American countries, dona can be used colloquially to describe a ring-shaped accessory or a circular object, not just food.
Examples in context
- Tom se comió la dona de chocolate que metí al hospital.Tom ate the chocolate donut that I had smuggled into the hospital.This sentence shows how to use dona when describing a specific chocolate donut.Tatoeba #1493232 by marcelostockle, translation #1027055 by CK
- Dame una dona.Give me a donut.This sentence shows how to request dona.Tatoeba #12849107 by mexicanhere, translation #3151552 by CK
- Me gustaría ordenar una rosquilla, por favor.I would like to order a donut, please.
- Esa dona tiene mucha azúcar.That donut has a lot of sugar.
Example conversation
Javier and María are at a breakfast cafe.
- Javier¿Quieres una dona, María?Do you want a donut, María?
- MaríaSí, pero no quiero una dona de fresa.Yes, but I don't want a strawberry donut.
- JavierEstá bien, compraré una de chocolate para ti.Okay, I will buy a chocolate one for you.
- MaríaGracias, Javier, eres muy amable.Thank you, Javier, you are very kind.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry dona, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dona, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
