entrante
/enˈtɾante/
The English phrase 'menu starter' is translated into Spanish as entrante.
A menu starter is a small dish served as the first course of a meal. While entrante is a common way to refer to this, it is specifically an appetizer or starter, whereas the term primer plato is a more general way to describe the first course of a structured meal.
What does it mean word for word?
The word entrante is a present participle used as a noun, literally meaning 'one that enters' or 'incoming', referring to the course that enters the meal.
Which one should you use?
entrante is used for a starter or appetizer, while primer plato is a broader term for the first course of a meal.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, aperitivo can refer to a small snack or appetizer served with a drink before a meal. In Latin America, particularly in Mexico, botana is a common term for a starter dish or snack served before a meal. In Argentina or Uruguay, the diminutive entradita is used to mean a menu starter.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of entrante is entrantes.
How do you pronounce it?
/enˈtɾante/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish restaurants, you might see entrantes listed as para picar, which literally means 'for picking'. This describes the custom of sharing several small plates in the center of the table rather than having individual starters.
- While entrante describes the food, it is the aperitivo that is often treated as a ritualized social hour in Spain, blending a specific time of day with a specific type of snack.
- In some Spanish-speaking culinary traditions, the word entrante might actually describe the person who is entering a room rather than a dish, as it functions as a noun for 'one who enters'.
Examples in context
- Quisiera ordenar la entrada, por favor.I would like to order the menu starter, please.
- Para comenzar, me gustaría pedir un aperitivo.To start, I would like to order a menu starter.
- Quisiera probar una entradita antes del plato principal.I would like to try a menu starter before the main course.
- Me encantaría probar un antojito como entrada.I would love to try an appetizer as a menu starter.
- ¿Qué opciones tienen como entrada?What options do you have for menu starters?
- Nos gustaría pedir una botana para compartir.We would like to order a menu starter to share.
- ¿Cuál es la especialidad de la casa para abrir el apetito?What is the house specialty for whetting the appetite?
- Recomiéndeme una entradita deliciosa, por favor.Please recommend a delicious menu starter to me.
- El primer entrante es una crema de tomate.The first starter is a tomato cream.
- Quiero pedir un entrante de queso.I want to order a cheese starter.
- Este entrante está muy rico.This starter is very delicious.
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are at a restaurant deciding what to eat.
- María¿Qué entrante quieres pedir, Alejandro?Which starter do you want to order, Alejandro?
- AlejandroMe gustaría un entrante de jamón.I would like a ham starter.
- MaríaPerfecto, yo pediré una ensalada de entrante.Perfect, I will order a salad as a starter.
- AlejandroBuena idea, compartamos la comida.Good idea, let's share the food.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry entrante, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
