salsa
/ˈsalsa/feminine
The English word "gravy" is translated into Spanish as salsa. Wiktionary also lists gravy and grevi.
Meaning: sauce (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| salsa | /ˈsalsa/ | feminine |
| gravy | /ˈɡɾeibi/ | masculine |
| grevi | /ɡɾebi/ (from spelling rules) | Spain |
| greve | /ˈɡɾebe/ | US, feminine, masculine |
In most Spanish-speaking contexts, salsa is used as a generic term for any sauce, including gravy.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In parts of Spain, you may encounter the localized phonetic adaptation grevi. In the United States, Spanish speakers often use the Spanglish adaptation greve.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word salsa is a feminine noun, while gravy is listed as a masculine noun. The term greve can be used as either a feminine or masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsalsa/
Did you know?
- The word salsa is related to the English word 'salary' through their shared root in the Latin word for salt, which was once used as a form of payment.
- While salsa means 'sauce' in a culinary context, it also refers to a world-famous genre of music and dance. The musical term is a metaphor for a 'mixture' of different rhythms and instruments.
- While English speakers use 'gravy' to refer specifically to a thickened sauce made from meat juices, the Spanish word salsa can also refer to a spicy condiment like 'hot sauce'. This can lead to a misunderstanding if you ask for 'salsa' at a Mexican restaurant.
Examples in context
- ¿Hay bastante salsa de carne?Is there enough gravy?This sentence is useful for asking if there is enough of the salsa.Tatoeba #5097758 by mervert1, translation #3133021 by CK
- ¿Quieres un poco más de salsa?Would you like some more gravy?This sentence is useful for offering more salsa to someone.Tatoeba #637611 by Dejo, translation #62781 by CK
- Por favor, ¿me puede pasar la salsa de carne?Could you please pass me the gravy?
- ¿Me pasas un poco de salsa, por favor?Could you pass me some gravy, please?
- La carne está deliciosa con su jugo de carne.The meat is delicious with its gravy.
- La salsa de carne está muy caliente.The meat gravy is very hot.
Example conversation
At a family dinner, Mateo is serving the food.
- Mateo¿Quieres un poco de salsa para el pollo, María?Do you want some gravy for the chicken, Maria?
- MaríaSí, por favor, me encanta esa salsa.Yes, please, I love that gravy.
- MateoAquí tienes la salsa caliente.Here is the hot gravy.
- MaríaMuchas gracias, Mateo.Thank you very much, Mateo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gravy” translations and entries salsa, gravy, greve, 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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
