mermelada
/meɾmeˈlada/feminine
The English word marmalade is translated into Spanish as mermelada.
Mermelada is a feminine noun used to refer to fruit jams and citrus marmalades. While English speakers often use different words to distinguish between a general fruit jam and a specific citrus-based marmalade, Spanish speakers use mermelada generically for both.
Meaning: citrus jam (noun)
Which one should you use?
In English, a distinction is often made between jam and marmalade, but in Spanish, mermelada covers both categories.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the specific term confitura de naranja is often used to refer specifically to orange marmalade.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the noun is las mermeladas.
How do you pronounce it?
/meɾmeˈlada/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, you will find dulce de membrillo, a quince paste so thick it is sliced like cheese rather than spread like mermelada.
- The word mermelada actually shares its roots with the fruit quince, rather than the citrus fruits used to make English marmalade. It is derived from the Portuguese word for a quince preserve.
- If you ask for mermelada de naranja in a Spanish bakery, you might receive a smooth fruit spread instead of the chunky, peel-filled preserve typical of British marmalade. To ensure you get the version with pieces of peel, you may need to specify confitura.
Examples in context
- Odio la mermelada.I hate marmalade.This sentence is useful for expressing a dislike for mermelada.Tatoeba #9584952 by hayastan, translation #8916525 by CK
- Las naranjas amargas son el principal ingrediente de la mermelada británica tradicional.Seville oranges are the main ingredient in traditional British marmalade.This sentence is useful for describing the ingredients of traditional British mermelada.Tatoeba #10046613 by manufrutos, translation #8430298 by Hybrid
- Esta mermelada de naranja es muy dulce.This orange marmalade is very sweet.
Example conversation
At a breakfast table in a cafe.
- JavierSofía, ¿quieres un poco de mermelada?Sofía, do you want some marmalade?
- SofíaSí, por favor, me encanta.Yes, please, I love it.
- JavierEs la mermelada que compré ayer.It is the marmalade I bought yesterday.
- SofíaEstá riquísima, Javier.It is delicious, Javier.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “marmalade” translations and entries mermelada, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mermelada, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
