cebolla
/θeˈboʝa/feminine
The Spanish word for "onion" is cebolla.
cebolla is a feminine noun used to refer to the bulb of an onion.
Meaning: bulb (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain regions of Spain, particularly in Catalonia, the term cebolleta refers to a green onion or spring onion. In Argentina, the term cebolla de verdeo is used to describe a green onion.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of cebolla is cebollas. Because cebolla is a feminine noun, its plural definite article is las (las cebollas).
How do you pronounce it?
/θeˈboʝa/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, there is a folk belief that placing a sliced cebolla in a room can absorb germs or toxins from the air during a flu outbreak.
- The English word 'chive' is a distant relative of cebolla because both come from the Latin word cēpa.
- In Spain, the cebolla is a central ingredient in the traditional escalivada, a smokey roasted vegetable salad from Catalonia.
Examples in context
- Odio la sopa de cebolla.I hate onion soup.This sentence shows how to use cebolla in the context of a soup.Tatoeba #9192209 by hayastan, translation #9192112 by CK
- Mi abuela le añadía una cebolla al relleno.Grandma would add an onion to the filling.This sentence shows how to use cebolla when describing a cooking habit.Tatoeba #10532342 by Seael, translation #10532246 by AlanF_US
- Mi abuela le añadió una cebolla al relleno.Grandma added an onion to the filling.This sentence shows how to use cebolla when describing a completed cooking action.Tatoeba #10532346 by Seael, translation #10504834 by AlanF_US
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are preparing a salad in the kitchen.
- AlejandroMaría, ¿necesitamos una cebolla para la ensalada?María, do we need an onion for the salad?
- MaríaSí, pero corta la cebolla en trozos pequeños.Yes, but cut the onion into small pieces.
- AlejandroEstá bien, voy a picar la cebolla ahora.All right, I'm going to chop the onion now.
- MaríaGracias, Alejandro.Thank you, Alejandro.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “onion” translations and entries cebolla, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cebolla, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
