pimienta
/piˈmjenta/feminine
The English word 'pepper' can be translated into Spanish as pimienta.
pimienta refers to the spice, such as black or white pepper. If you want to specify white pepper, use the term pimienta blanca.
Meaning: spice (noun)
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between the spice and the vegetable. Use pimienta for the spice (like black or white pepper), but use pimiento for the vegetable (bell pepper).
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/piˈmjenta/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use pimienta when they actually mean the vegetable pimiento.
Did you know?
- The Spanish word pimienta actually shares its roots with 'pigment' and 'paint' because the Latin ancestor pigmentum referred to anything used to color or dye a substance.
- While pimienta describes the spice, the vegetable pimiento is the root of the English word 'pimiento', which specifically refers to certain types of pickled peppers.
- Spanish has a specific word pimentón for smoked paprika, which is a distinct derivative of pimiento rather than pimienta.
Examples in context
- ¿Lo quieres con pimienta?Do you want pepper on it?This sentence is useful for asking if someone wants pepper on a dish using pimienta.Tatoeba #1775189 by marcelostockle, translation #426440 by CM
- Pon un poco más de pimienta.Add a little more pepper.This sentence is useful for requesting that more pepper be added using pimienta.Tatoeba #1534661 by marcelostockle, translation #31307 by CK
- Por favor, pásame la pimienta.Please pass me the pepper.This sentence is useful for asking someone to pass the pepper using pimienta.Tatoeba #1211821 by marcelostockle, translation #61553 by CK
- ¿Podrías pasarme la pimienta, por favor?Could you pass me the pepper, please?
- Esta receta requiere pimienta negra en polvo.This recipe calls for ground black pepper.
- Es preferible utilizar pimienta blanca en salsas claras.It is preferable to use white pepper in light sauces.
- Oye, ¿me pasas un poquito de pimientita?Hey, can you pass me a little bit of pepper?
- Traje una receta especial de mi país con pimientico.I brought a special recipe from my country with pepper.
- Me gusta el sabor único que los chiles aportan a la comida.I like the unique flavor that peppers bring to food.
- Mi abuela siempre le pone ají a sus salsas caseras.My grandmother always adds pepper to her homemade sauces.
- 40 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are cooking dinner at home.
- Alejandro¿Quieres que añada pimienta a la sopa?Do you want me to add pepper to the soup?
- ElenaSí, Alejandro, por favor.Yes, Alejandro, please.
- AlejandroLa pimienta está en el estante.The pepper is on the shelf.
- ElenaGracias, la usaré ahora mismo.Thanks, I will use it right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pepper” translations and entries pimienta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pimienta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
