magdalenas
/maɡdalenas/from spelling rules
The Spanish word for muffins is magdalenas.
This term refers to small, cake-like breads baked in a cup-shaped pan. While magdalenas is common, the English loanword Muffin is also used to mean muffin.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the term Panquecitos refers to small muffins. In Colombia, the word for muffins is ponquecitos.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form is magdalena.
How do you pronounce it?
/maɡdalenas/
When do people say it?
The term refers specifically to a type of small sponge cake, often associated with Spanish breakfast or tea time.
Did you know?
- The word magdalena refers to Mary Magdalene. Tradition holds that these cakes were originally made in honor of the saint or created by her followers.
- In Spain, traditional magdalenas are often eaten by dipping them directly into a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. This custom is so common that the cakes are specifically designed to be sturdy enough to soak up liquid without falling apart.
- In Marcel Proust's famous novel 'In Search of Lost Time', the protagonist experiences a rush of childhood memories after eating a magdalena. This literary moment is so iconic that the cake is often used as a metaphor for involuntary memory throughout the Francophone and Hispanic worlds.
Examples in context
- No sé por qué tengo que dejar de comer magdalenas.I don't know why I need to stop eating muffins.This sentence is useful for expressing a personal difficulty with eating magdalenas.Tatoeba #9870633 by Shishir, translation #9125416 by Missy_Hissy
- Me gustaría un muffin de arándanos, por favorI would like a blueberry muffin, please
- ¿Puedes comprarme unas magdalenas en la pastelería, por favor?Can you buy me some muffins at the pastry shop, please?
- Vamos a hornear panquecitos de vainillaLet's bake some vanilla muffins
- Las magdalenas están recién hechas.The muffins are freshly made.
- ¿Quieres probar estas magdalenas de limón?Do you want to try these lemon muffins?
Example conversation
María and Daniel are sharing breakfast at home.
- MaríaDaniel, ¿quieres unas magdalenas?Daniel, do you want some muffins?
- DanielSí, gracias María, se ven muy ricas.Yes, thanks María, they look very delicious.
- MaríaHe hecho estas magdalenas con chocolate.I made these chocolate muffins.
- DanielSon mis magdalenas favoritas.They are my favorite muffins.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
