margarina
/maɾɡaˈɾina/feminine
The Spanish word for margarine is margarina.
Meaning: spread (noun)
Which one should you use?
margarina is used to distinguish the product from real butter, which is mantequilla.
How does it change in a sentence?
margarina is a feminine noun and is typically used with the feminine article la.
How do you pronounce it?
/maɾɡaˈɾina/
Did you know?
- Because margarina comes from a word meaning 'pearl', the name originally referred to the white, shimmering appearance of the product.
- While margarina is the standard term, you might hear people use manteca in certain Latin American countries, though this can also mean 'lard' and cause confusion.
- While mantequilla means 'butter', the word comes from manteca, which refers to lard or animal fat. This highlights the historical focus on animal fats in Spanish cuisine.
Examples in context
- Yo no como margarina.I don't eat margarine.Tatoeba #9225694 by rafaeldejesus8199, translation #9225699 by rafaeldejesus8199
- Esto no es mantequilla. Es margarina.This is not butter. It's margarine.Tatoeba #10250275 by Seael, translation #2864207 by mervert1
- Ella reemplazó la margarina por manteca.She substituted margarine for butter.Tatoeba #962826 by hayastan, translation #309926 by CK
- La margarina suaveSoft margarine
- La margarina sin salSalt-free margarine
- La margarina vegetalVegetable margarine
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are making breakfast in the kitchen.
- María¿Hay margarina para el pan?Is there margarine for the bread?
- AlejandroSí, la margarina está en la mesa.Yes, the margarine is on the table.
- MaríaGracias, Alejandro.Thanks, Alejandro.
- AlejandroDe nada, María.You're welcome, María.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “margarine” translations and entries margarina, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries margarina, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
