lúpulo
/ˈlupulo/
The Spanish word for hops is lúpulo.
lúpulo refers to the flowers of a climbing plant used to flavor and preserve beer.
How does it change in a sentence?
While English uses the plural form "hops", the standard Spanish word lúpulo is a singular masculine noun. You may also use the plural form lúpulos when referring to multiple types or different quantities of the plant.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈlupulo/
Did you know?
- Historically, the term was linked to wolves because the climbing vines of the plant were thought to 'devour' or 'bite' the trees they climbed, much like a wolf.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, lúpulo is not just a brewing ingredient but is frequently sold in pharmacies as a natural remedy for insomnia.
- In Spanish, the characteristic 'hoppiness' of a beer is not described with a derivative of lúpulo but with the word amargor, meaning 'bitterness'.
Examples in context
- El ingrediente clave de la cerveza son los conos de Humulus lupulus.The key ingredient in beer is Humulus lupulus cones.
- Mi hermano cultiva lúpulos en su jardín para sus propias cervezas.My brother grows hops in his garden for his own beers.
- El lúpulo es esencial para la cerveza.Hops are essential for beer.
- Puedo oler el aroma del lúpulo.I can smell the aroma of the hops.
- Esta receta utiliza mucho lúpulo.This recipe uses a lot of hops.
Example conversation
Mateo and María are at a craft beer tasting event.
- MateoEsta cerveza tiene un sabor intenso a lúpulo.This beer has an intense hop flavor.
- MaríaSí, Mateo, es muy refrescante.Yes, Mateo, it is very refreshing.
- Mateo¿Te gusta el toque de lúpulo?Do you like the touch of hops?
- MaríaMe encanta, es mi ingrediente favorito.I love it, it is my favorite ingredient.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry lúpulo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
