Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| hibisco | /iˈbisko/ | masculine |
| flor de jamaica | /floɾ de xamaika/ (from spelling rules) | Dominican Republic, feminine |
The word hibisco is the general botanical term for the flower. However, in many Spanish-speaking cultures, the term flor de jamaica is most commonly used when people are referring to the hibiscus flower specifically used to make a popular iced tea.
Which one should you use?
While hibisco is the general botanical term, flor de jamaica is a common way to refer to the hibiscus in specific contexts or regions.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, people use the term malvón to refer to hibiscus. In the Dominican Republic, you will find the feminine form flor de jamaica. In certain regions of Mexico, locals refer to the flower as flor de Jamaica. In Caribbean countries, the term Rosa de Jamaica is particularly common.
How does it change in a sentence?
hibisco is a masculine noun and is used with the masculine article el. The phrase flor de jamaica is a feminine noun phrase and is used with the feminine article la.
How do you pronounce it?
/iˈbisko/
When do people say it?
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, people use the term jamaica or flor de jamaica when discussing the hibiscus flower used to make popular iced tea.
Did you know?
- The term flor de jamaica refers to a plant that is not actually native to the island of Jamaica. The name likely comes from the way the flower was imported via the Caribbean island rather than its place of origin.
- The drink made from flor de jamaica is often served as an agua fresca, a traditional category of light, fruit-infused waters common across Mexico.
- The Spanish word flor shares an ancient ancestor with the English word 'flower'. Both words can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root *bʰleh₃-, meaning 'to bloom' or 'to thrive'.
Examples in context
- En mi jardín, cultivo hermosos hibiscos de diferentes colores.In my garden, I grow beautiful hibiscuses of different colors.
- En esta región, es común encontrar hermosas rosas de China que decoran los jardines.In this region, it is common to find beautiful Chinese roses that decorate the gardens.
- El jardín de mi abuela está lleno de hermosas flores de jamaica.My grandmother's garden is full of beautiful hibiscus flowers.
- Las rosas de Jamaica son muy comunes en los patios de las casas en esta zona.The hibiscus roses are very common in the patios of the houses in this area.
- El hibisco es rojo.The hibiscus is red.
- Ese hibisco tiene un aroma dulce.That hibiscus has a sweet scent.
- Me gusta mucho este hibisco.I really like this hibiscus.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are looking at plants in a garden.
- Alejandro¿Qué flor es esa?What flower is that?
- ElenaEs un hibisco muy bonito.It is a very pretty hibiscus.
- AlejandroEl hibisco de Elena es el más grande.Elena's hibiscus is the largest.
- ElenaGracias, lo cuido mucho.Thank you, I take great care of it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hibiscus” translations and entries hibisco, 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.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, flor, hibisco, jamaica, CC BY-SA 4.0.
