cebollín
/θeboˈʝin/
In Spanish, green onion is cebollín.
The term refers to a long, thin vegetable with a white bulb and green leaves used in cooking.
What does it mean word for word?
The word cebollín is a diminutive of cebolla (onion), literally meaning 'little onion'.
Which one should you use?
The forms cebollín, cebolleta and cebollino are all used to refer to this vegetable depending on the region. In many Latin American countries, cebollín is the preferred term, while in Spain, both cebolleta and the masculine form cebollino are common.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, cebolleta is a very common way to refer to green onions or spring onions. The term cebollín is more widely used in many Latin American countries. In some regions, particularly in Spain, the masculine form cebollino is also used.
How do you pronounce it?
/θeboˈʝin/
Did you know?
- In various Latin American cuisines, the chopped cebollín is a key part of curtido, a fermented vegetable relish used to top pupusas in El Salvador.
- The distinction between cebollino and cebolleta in Spain can be tricky, as cebollino often refers specifically to the thinner chive, while cebolleta is the thicker spring onion.
- In some Caribbean regions, cebollín is often paired with ají in a basic seasoning blend called sofrito, which is the aromatic foundation for most savory dishes.
Examples in context
- Por favor, añade un poco de cebolla de verdeo a la ensalada.Please add some green onion to the salad.
- El cebollín le da un sabor único a la sopa.The green onion gives a unique flavor to the soup.
- Voy a comprar unas cebollas largas para la salsa.I'm going to buy some green onions for the sauce.
- Me encanta el sabor del cebollino en mis platos favoritos.I love the flavor of green onion in my favorite dishes.
- Necesito comprar un cebollín.I need to buy a green onion.
- Pica el cebollín muy finamente.Chop the green onion very finely.
- El cebollín le da buen sabor a la sopa.The green onion gives the soup a good flavor.
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are preparing dinner in the kitchen.
- SofíaAlejandro, ¿tenemos cebollín para la ensalada?Alejandro, do we have green onion for the salad?
- AlejandroCreo que no queda nada en la nevera.I think there is nothing left in the fridge.
- SofíaEntonces iré a la tienda por cebollín.Then I will go to the store for green onion.
- AlejandroPerfecto, yo terminaré de picar los tomates.Perfect, I will finish chopping the tomatoes.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cebollín, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
