mortero y machaca
/moɾteɾo i mat͡ʃaka/from spelling rulesmasculine
The English phrase "mortar and pestle" can be translated into Spanish using several terms, most commonly mortero y machaca. Wiktionary also lists almirez y maja and pilón y machacadera.
Meaning: device used for crushing and grinding ingredients into a fine paste or powder (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| mortero y machaca | /moɾteɾo i mat͡ʃaka/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| almirez y maja | /almiɾeθ i maxa/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /almiɾes i maxa/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
masculine |
| pilón y machacadera | /pilon i mat͡ʃakadeɾa/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| molcajete y tejolote | /molkaxete i texolote/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
This refers to a device used for crushing and grinding ingredients into a fine paste or powder. The action of using a pestle to crush or pound ingredients is described by the verb machacar.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the term molcajete is frequently used to refer to a mortar and pestle. Specifically, the traditional stone version of this tool is called molcajete y tejolote.
How does it change in a sentence?
All provided forms are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/moɾteɾo i matʃaka/
Did you know?
- The verb machacar, used for grinding with a pestle, is also used colloquially to describe studying a subject with intense focus or drilling a topic repeatedly.
- The word almirez for a mortar is not of Latin origin but was borrowed into Spanish from Arabic during the Moorish presence in the Iberian Peninsula.
- In Mexico, a molcajete is specifically carved from volcanic basalt, a porous rock that provides a naturally abrasive surface for grinding.
Examples in context
- Voy a usar el molcajete para moler los chilesI'm going to use the mortar and pestle to grind the chilies
- ¿Me puedes pasar el molcajete, por favor?Can you pass me the mortar and pestle, please?
- ¿Dónde puedo comprar un mortero y mano?Where can I buy a mortar and pestle?
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are preparing a meal together.
- JavierElena, ¿dónde está el mortero y machaca?Elena, where is the mortar and pestle?
- ElenaEstá en el armario, Javier.It is in the cupboard, Javier.
- JavierGracias, voy a machacar las especias.Thanks, I am going to crush the spices.
- ElenaPerfecto, yo corto las verduras.Perfect, I will cut the vegetables.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mortar and pestle” translations, 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 almirez, molcajete, mortero, pilón, tejolote, y, CC BY-SA 4.0.
