dona
/ˈdona/feminine
The English phrase doughnut is translated into Spanish as dona. Wiktionary also lists rosquilla and anillo.
Meaning: deep-fried piece of dough or batter (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| dona | /ˈdona/ | feminine |
| rosquilla | /rosˈkiʝa/ | feminine |
| anillo | /aˈniʝo/ | masculine |
| dónut | /ˈdonut/ | masculine |
| donut | /ˈdonut/ /ˈdonat/ |
masculine |
The term refers to a deep-fried piece of dough or batter.
Which one should you use?
While dona is a general term, rosquilla often refers to a smaller, more traditional ring-shaped pastry or doughnut. The masculine form dónut is an anglicism frequently used in commercial and everyday contexts in Spain. Additionally, the English spelling donut is sometimes used in Spanish-speaking regions, particularly in areas with high US influence, although it is technically an anglicism.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the anglicism dónut is frequently used. In parts of Argentina and Uruguay, you may hear the informal Rosca. The spelling donut is used in areas with high US influence.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈdona/.
Did you know?
- In Spain, dónut is written with an accent mark to align the English word with Spanish stress rules.
- The English word 'dough' and the Spanish word dona share a very distant ancestor in the Proto-Indo-European root *dʰeyǵʰ-, which relates to the concept of working or shaping.
- The word rosquilla is derived from rosca, which refers to a braided or ring-shaped loaf of bread.
Examples in context
- Me estoy comiendo una rosquilla.I am eating a doughnut.This sentence is useful for saying that you are eating a rosquilla.Tatoeba #1684075 by marcelostockle, translation #1665885 by Amastan
- Guárdame un dónut.Save me a doughnut.This sentence is useful for asking someone to save a dónut for you.Tatoeba #11864523 by Seael, translation #11864521 by sundown
- No freí la dona.I did not fry the doughnut.This sentence is useful for stating that you did not fry the dona.Tatoeba #6480648 by mervert1, translation #6478029 by mervert1
- un café y una rosquillaA coffee and a doughnut
- Me gustaría un donut, por favorI would like a doughnut, please
- una dona de chocolateA chocolate doughnut
- Quiero comprar unas rosquillas para el desayuno.I want to buy some doughnuts for breakfast.
- ¿Me puedes conseguir un donut, por favor?Can you get me a doughnut, please?
- Si vas a la panadería, tráeme un donut de chocolate, por favor.If you go to the bakery, bring me a chocolate doughnut, please.
- ¡Hoy me voy a dar el gusto de comer una dona rellena de crema!Today, I'm going to treat myself to a cream-filled doughnut!
- Mi abuela prepara unas roscas de dulce de leche deliciosas.My grandma makes delicious sweet milk doughnuts.
- ¡Me encanta el desayuno con café y roscas!I love breakfast with coffee and doughnuts!
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are at a coffee shop.
- JavierSofía, ¿quieres una dona?Sofía, do you want a doughnut?
- SofíaSí, gracias, Javier.Yes, thank you, Javier.
- JavierEsta dona es de chocolate.This doughnut is chocolate.
- Sofía¡Qué buena pinta tiene!It looks so good!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “doughnut” translations and entries dona, rosquilla, anillo, dónut, donut, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries anillo, dona, dónut, rosquilla, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
