Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| lima | /ˈlima/ | feminine |
| limón | /liˈmon/ | Mexico, masculine |
The word refers to the green citrus fruit. To describe something as containing lime or lime juice, you use the phrase de lima. The verb encalar is used to describe the action of treating something with lime.
Which one should you use?
In many Spanish-speaking regions, lima refers specifically to the green citrus fruit, while limón is often used to refer to the same fruit or to a lemon depending on the country.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, limón is the standard term used for the small, green citrus fruit commonly known as a lime in English. When describing the color lime green, you use the phrase verde lima.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
lima is a feminine noun, while limón is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈlima/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often assume limón always means 'lemon', but in many Latin American countries, limón is the word for the green 'lime'.
Did you know?
- The word lima can also refer to a tool used for smoothing surfaces, known in English as a 'file'.
- The word lima can be used as a verb meaning 'to file down' or 'to smooth out', which can also be used metaphorically to describe smoothing over a disagreement.
- The word limón actually has a way deeper history than it looks, tracing its roots back to the Sanskrit word nimbū from ancient India.
Examples in context
- Este limón no está maduro.This lime isn't ripe.This sentence uses limón to discuss the ripeness of a lime.Tatoeba #8390362 by ManuelML, translation #8416188 by cromwellt
- Sería agradable si tuvieras una rodajita de lima para echar en mi agua helada.It would be nice if you had a wedge of lime I could squeeze into my icewater.This sentence uses lima to describe a wedge of lime for water.Tatoeba #5862179 by albrusgher, translation #1953487 by _undertoad
- Me gusta cómo combinan los colores violetas y granates con los amarillos, los naranjas y los verdes lima.I like how the violets and garnets combine with the yellows, oranges and lime greens.This sentence uses lima to describe the color lime green.Tatoeba #13627803 by Seael, translation #13630912 by araneo
- ¿Puedes pasarme una lima, por favor?Can you pass me a lime, please?
- ¿Podría prepararme una bebida con limón, por favor?Could you make me a drink with lime, please?
- Claro, aquí tienes unas limas bien jugosas.Of course, here are some really juicy limes.
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are in the kitchen making drinks.
- Elena¿Tienes una lima para el té?Do you have a lime for the tea?
- JavierSí, tengo una lima fresca en la nevera.Yes, I have a fresh lime in the fridge.
- ElenaPerfecto, cortaré la lima en trozos.Perfect, I will cut the lime into pieces.
- JavierGracias, Elena, eso será muy refrescante.Thanks, Elena, that will be very refreshing.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lime” translations and entries lima, limón, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lima, limón, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
