encurtido
/enkuɾˈtido/
The Spanish word for pickled is encurtido.
The word is an adjective used to describe food that has been preserved through pickling. In many contexts, particularly when discussing vegetables, you may also see the phrase en vinagre used to mean "in vinegar" as a common alternative to encurtido.
Meaning: preserved by pickling (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
encurtido is derived from the verb encurtir, which means to pickle.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and parts of Central America, the term escabeche is used to refer to a specific pickled dish consisting of vegetables marinated in a vinegar-based sauce.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, encurtido must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use encurtida when modifying a feminine noun and use encurtidos for the plural form.
How do you pronounce it?
/enkuɾˈtido/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, encurtir can be used figuratively to describe someone who has become stiff, grumpy or weathered by old age or hard living.
- The word escabeche used for certain pickled dishes is a loanword from the Arabic sikbaj, which referred to a vinegar-based sauce.
- In Caribbean-influenced Spanish, escabeche can refer to a spicy vinegar-based soup or stew rather than just a pickled condiment.
Examples in context
- Aceitunas encurtidasPickled olives
- Cebollas en vinagrePickled onions
- Me encantan los pepinillos en mis hamburguesas.I love pickles on my hamburgers.
- ¿Tienes pepinillos para la ensalada?Do you have pickles for the salad?
- El pepino encurtido está muy rico.The pickled cucumber is very tasty.
- Me gusta el sabor del cebollino encurtido.I like the flavor of the pickled scallion.
Example conversation
María and Mateo are preparing a meal together.
- MaríaMateo, ¿quieres pepino encurtido en tu sándwich?Mateo, do you want pickled cucumber in your sandwich?
- MateoSí, por favor, me encanta el sabor.Yes, please, I love the flavor.
- MaríaAquí tienes, está recién abierto.Here you go, it is freshly opened.
- MateoGracias, María, se ve delicioso.Thanks, María, it looks delicious.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry encurtido, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
