semillas
/semiʝas/from spelling rules
The Spanish word pepas refers to the seeds found inside a fruit.
pepas refers to the seeds of a fruit. It is often used specifically when talking about the large, fleshy seeds or pits found in fruits such as melons, grapes or peaches.
Which one should you use?
While semillas is the general botanical term for seeds, pepas is typically used for the larger seeds or pits found within fleshy fruits.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
pepas is an informal or colloquial way to refer to seeds, whereas semillas is the standard term.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The use of pepas to mean seeds is much more common in Latin American Spanish than in Spain.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of pepas is pepa.
How do you pronounce it?
/semiʝas/
Did you know?
- In some Latin American countries, if a person is described as having buena pepa, it refers to them having a great physical appearance or a fit body.
- In some Latin American countries, pepa is used as a slang term for a pill or a drug, often referring to ecstasy.
- While semillas is used for planting crops, you will almost never hear a gardener use pepas to describe the seeds they are sowing.
Examples in context
- Estas semillas son muy pequeñas.These seeds are very small.
- Hay que quitar las semillas del melón.You have to remove the seeds from the melon.
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are preparing a fruit salad in the kitchen.
- SofíaJavier, ¿ya cortaste la papaya?Javier, did you already cut the papaya?
- JavierSí, pero todavía tiene las semillas.Yes, but it still has the seeds.
- SofíaSácalas con una cuchara, por favor.Take them out with a spoon, please.
- JavierEstá bien, lo hago ahora mismo.Okay, I'll do it right now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
