pasteles
/pasteles/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase pasteles means sweet baked cakes.
pasteles refers to sweet baked cakes often served as desserts. While it can mean cakes, in many Spanish-speaking contexts it is used more broadly to refer to pastries or sweet baked goods.
Which one should you use?
In many Spanish-speaking contexts, pasteles is used broadly to cover various types of pastries or sweet baked goods rather than just cakes.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the word is pastel.
How do you pronounce it?
/pasteles/
Did you know?
- In the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, pasteles are not sweet cakes at all, but savory tamale-like parcels made from mashed root vegetables and meat wrapped in banana leaves.
- In some Latin American countries, the word torta is used for what English speakers call 'cake', while pastel is reserved for smaller pastries. This is the opposite of how the word torta is used in Spain, where it refers to a flatbread.
- While English speakers use 'cake' for almost any sweet baked sponge, Spanish speakers often distinguish between a pastel and a bizcocho, the latter being closer to a sponge cake or biscuit.
Examples in context
- Así que, ¿qué opinas de los pasteles puertorriqueños? Son una delicia tradicional en esta época del año.So, what do you think about Puerto Rican pasteles? They are a traditional delicacy this time of year.
- Hoy probé unos pasteles de masa rellenos de cerdo. ¡Estaban deliciosos!Today, I tried some dough-filled pork pasteles. They were delicious!
- Me gustan mucho los pasteles de chocolate.I really like chocolate cakes.
- Compré unos pasteles para la fiesta.I bought some cakes for the party.
- Los pasteles de esta pastelería son deliciosos.The cakes from this bakery are delicious.
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are choosing a dessert at a cafe.
- Javier¿Quieres probar los pasteles de fresa?Do you want to try the strawberry cakes?
- SofíaSí, me encantan los pasteles frutales.Yes, I love fruit cakes.
- JavierEntonces pediré dos para compartir.Then I will order two to share.
- SofíaPerfecto, gracias por el detalle, Javier.Perfect, thanks for the treat, Javier.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
