encurtido
/enkuɾˈtido/
In Spanish, the word for pickle is encurtido.
The term encurtido refers to a preserved cucumber.
Meaning: preserved cucumber (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word encurtido is the past participle of the verb encurtir, which means 'pickled' or 'preserved in vinegar'.
Which one should you use?
While encurtido describes the general state of being pickled, escabeche often refers to a specific style of preparation where food is marinated in an acidic sauce, a method common in Spanish and Latin American cuisine. If you are referring specifically to the small, crunchy cucumber often served in sandwiches, the more common word is pepinillo.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to multiple pickles, use the plural form encurtidos.
How do you pronounce it?
/enkuɾˈtido/
Did you know?
- If you order escabeche in a Spanish restaurant, you might receive fish or meat rather than a cucumber, as the term refers to the cooking style rather than the vegetable.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, encurtidos refers to any pickled vegetable, such as carrots or onions, rather than just cucumbers.
- In some regions, particularly in parts of Latin America, the word encurtido can also refer to a fresh vegetable salad dressed with vinegar and oil, rather than just preserved items.
Examples in context
- Me encanta comer pepinillos en mis hamburguesas.I love to eat pickles on my hamburgers.
- Necesitamos encurtidos para la ensalada.We need pickles for the salad.
- ¿Has probado los pepinillos agridulces?Have you tried the sweet-and-sour pickles?
- ¿Tienes algún encurtido en la nevera?Do you have any pickles in the fridge?
- Este encurtido tiene un sabor muy fuerte.This pickle has a very strong flavor.
Example conversation
Javier and María are making sandwiches in the kitchen.
- JavierMaría, ¿quieres un encurtido en tu sándwich?María, do you want a pickle on your sandwich?
- MaríaSí, Javier, por favor ponme uno.Yes, Javier, please put one on for me.
- JavierAquí tienes el encurtido.Here is the pickle.
- MaríaMuchas gracias, se ve delicioso.Thank you very much, it looks delicious.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry encurtido, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
Hola🤗 Vivian Irene!
I felt a peculiar but amiable fondness for your Love for linguistics! I myself have Love for languages. For many years of my life I worked alongside Spanish speaking co-workers. Often times these associates would be speaking amongst themselves in back and forth banter and thoroughly enjoying the experience often with laughter. During these moments I did not wish to be excluded from the conversation so I often, at the risk of being rude, asked what certain words that were being used by them meant. By doing so I improved upon my own understanding of the Spanish language. Often times I would ask my associate, Alex, if there were other words which could be substituted (synonyms) in place of those I was already hearing? I enjoy learning intricacies of languages and their meanings much as you do. I also enjoy delving into other languages besides Spanish, and their variations of expression. These other languages include German/Alemán, Russian/Russo, and French/Francaisé