Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| orgánico | /oɾˈɡaniko/ |
| biológico | /bjoˈloxiko/ |
| ecológico | /ekoˈloxiko/ |
When describing food and food products, this term refers to items that are grown without agrichemicals.
Which one should you use?
While orgánico is used for both food and chemistry, biológico is more commonly used in a scientific or technical context to refer to biological processes. Additionally, ecológico is frequently used as a synonym for organic food in commercial labeling in many Spanish-speaking regions, even though it literally means 'ecological'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term bio is especially used in Spain. In Latin America, the term agroecológico is used to indicate organic products and the word natural is sometimes used informally to refer to organic products.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective orgánico must agree in gender with the noun it modifies, changing to orgánica for feminine nouns. The adjective takes the masculine plural form orgánicos when modifying a group of masculine nouns or a mixed-gender group. Similarly, ecológico becomes ecológica when referring to a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/oɾˈɡaniko/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word orgánico shares its roots with the English 'organ', as both derive from the Greek word for 'instrument' or 'tool' used for work.
- In Spain, you will often see the prefix bio on food packaging, a shorthand that mirrors trends in other European languages like French or German.
Examples in context
- Los ácidos nucleicos son compuestos orgánicos.Nucleic acids are organic compounds.This sentence uses orgánico to describe chemical compounds.Tatoeba #13028682 by Eremon, translation #7983057 by trochal
- Lo mejor para el campo es abonarlo con productos orgánicos.The best thing for the field is to fertilize it with organic products.This sentence uses orgánicos to describe products used for a field.Tatoeba #10185612 by saverius, translation #10832566 by Luornu
- Todos quieren huevos ecológicos de cría en libertad. Por ello no debemos quejarnos cuando los gallos cantan afuera.Everyone wants organic, free-range eggs. So we shouldn't complain when the roosters start crowing outside.This sentence uses ecológico to describe eggs.Tatoeba #8326842 by arh, translation #10465410 by DJ_Saidez
- El aceite de oliva ecológico es muy saludable.Organic olive oil is very healthy.
- He comprado frutas y verduras bio en el mercado.I bought organic fruits and vegetables at the market.
- Esta tienda vende productos naturales y orgánicos.This store sells natural and organic products.
- El vino orgánico es cada vez más popular en España.Organic wine is becoming more popular in Spain.
- Compré frutas ecológicas en la tienda.I bought organic fruits at the store.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Javier are shopping for groceries at a local market.
- MaríaBusco este tomate orgánico.I am looking for this organic tomato.
- Javier¿Es de cultivo orgánico?Is it organically grown?
- MaríaSí, es producto orgánico de la zona.Yes, it is an organic product from the area.
- JavierPerfecto, me llevaré un kilo.Perfect, I will take one kilo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “organic” translations and entries orgánico, biológico, ecológico, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries biológico, ecológico, orgánico, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
