hierbas y especias
/jeɾbas i espeθjas/from spelling rules
The English phrase "herbs and spices" is translated into Spanish as hierbas y especias.
This phrase refers to various plant parts used to add flavor or aroma to food.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation where hierbas means "herbs" and especias means "spices".
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to a single herb or a single spice, use the singular forms hierba and especia respectively.
How do you pronounce it?
/jeɾbas i espeθjas/
Did you know?
- The word hierba is also the common slang term for marijuana in many Spanish speaking countries. Context is essential to ensure you are talking about the garden and not a drug.
- In Spanish, the word especia for 'spice' is a false friend for English speakers because especie means 'species' or 'kind'. Using the wrong ending can turn a culinary conversation into a biological one.
- While English speakers often use 'herbs' to refer to dried seasonings, in Spanish, hierbas almost always implies fresh plants, whereas especias refers to the dried, powdered, or preserved versions.
Examples in context
- El romero le da un sabor fuerte a la carne.Rosemary gives a strong flavor to the meat.
- La menta refresca el paladar.Mint refreshes the palate.
- Después de dorar la cebolla, añade el comino.After browning the onion, add the cumin.
- El tomillo y el romero van muy bien con las patatas asadas.Thyme and rosemary go very well with roasted potatoes.
- La canela y la nuez moscada se complementan en postres.Cinnamon and nutmeg complement each other in desserts.
- Necesito comprar más hierbas y especias.I need to buy more herbs and spices.
- Esta receta usa muchas hierbas y especias.This recipe uses many herbs and spices.
- Las hierbas y especias le dan mucho sabor.Herbs and spices give it a lot of flavor.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are in the kitchen preparing dinner.
- Lucía¿Tienes hierbas y especias en la alacena?Do you have herbs and spices in the pantry?
- MateoSí, tengo un poco de todo.Yes, I have a little bit of everything.
- LucíaPerfecto, Mateo, vamos a cocinar algo rico.Perfect, Mateo, let's cook something delicious.
- MateoMe parece una excelente idea, Lucía.That sounds like an excellent idea, Lucía.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
