jarabe de arce
/xaˌɾabe de ˈaɾθe/masculine
The English phrase 'maple syrup' is translated into Spanish as jarabe de arce. Wiktionary also lists maple and miel de maple.
Meaning: syrup made from the sap of the sugar maple (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| jarabe de arce | /xaˌɾabe de ˈaɾθe/ /xaˌɾabe de ˈaɾse/ |
masculine |
| maple | /ˈmaple/ | masculine |
| miel de maple | /mjel de maple/ (from spelling rules) | Mexico, feminine |
The term refers to the syrup made from the sap of the sugar maple (noun).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase jarabe de arce is composed of jarabe (syrup) and de arce (of maple).
Which one should you use?
In Mexico, people often use the term miel de maple even though miel literally means honey.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico or parts of Central America, miel de maple or miel de arce can be used to refer to maple syrup.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun jarabe is masculine, so it is used with the masculine article el in the phrase el jarabe de arce.
How do you pronounce it?
/xaˌɾabe de ˈaɾθe/
Did you know?
- While jarabe is used for maple syrup, it is also the standard Spanish word for 'cough syrup' used in pharmacies.
- The term jarabe is a direct legacy of the Arabic influence on the Spanish language, originating from the Arabic word for 'a drink'.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the word miel is used as a generic term for any thick and sweet liquid, even those not made by bees.
Examples in context
- ¿Podría pasarme el jarabe de arce, por favor?Could you pass me the maple syrup, please?
- Me gustaría un poco de sirope de arce para los pancakes.I would like some maple syrup for the pancakes.
- ¿Puedes pasarme el jarabe de maple?Can you pass me the maple syrup?
- Voy a añadir un poco de sirope de maple a los waffles.I'm going to add some maple syrup to the waffles.
- ¿Quieres ponerle miel de maple a los hotcakes?Do you want to drizzle maple syrup on the pancakes?
- El jarabe de arce es muy dulce.The maple syrup is very sweet.
- ¿Necesitas jarabe de arce para tu desayuno?Do you need maple syrup for your breakfast?
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are having breakfast in a kitchen.
- SofíaDaniel, ¿quieres un poco de jarabe de arce?Daniel, do you want some maple syrup?
- DanielSí, por favor, me encanta el jarabe de arce.Yes, please, I love maple syrup.
- SofíaAquí tienes el frasco para tu desayuno.Here is the jar for your breakfast.
- DanielGracias, Sofía, es muy dulce.Thanks, Sofía, it is very sweet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “maple syrup” translations and entries jarabe de arce, maple, 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 arce, de, jarabe, miel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
