porción
/poɾˈθjon/feminine
The English phrase serving can be translated into Spanish as porción or ración.
Meaning: portion of food (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| porción | /poɾˈθjon/ /poɾˈsjon/ |
feminine |
| ración | /raˈθjon/ /raˈsjon/ |
feminine |
When referring to a serving of food, you can use either porción or ración. However, porción is a general term for a portion or part of a whole, such as a portion of cake or a portion of a population. Ración is used more specifically for a measured serving of food, such as a serving of ham or a military ration.
Which one should you use?
porción is a general term for a part of a whole, whereas ración is specifically used for a measured serving of food.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of porción is porciones, and the plural form of ración is raciones.
How do you pronounce it?
/poɾˈθjon/
Did you know?
- The word ración shares the same ancient roots as the English word 'reason'.
- In a restaurant setting, using ración often signals that you want a shared plate intended for multiple people, like a 'tapas' style serving.
- The word porción can be used to describe a 'serving' of abstract things, such as a 'portion of truth' (una porción de verdad), whereas ración is almost strictly physical.
Examples in context
- Desearía una ración de jamón ibérico.I'd like a serving of Iberian Ham.This sentence is useful for requesting a serving of Iberian Ham using ración.Tatoeba #6669467 by arh, translation #11226867 by Luornu
- ¿Quiere otra ración?Would you like another serving?This sentence is useful for asking if someone wants another serving using ración.Tatoeba #2143108 by Shishir, translation #1495772 by CK
- El servicio en este restaurante es excelente.The service at this restaurant is excellent.
- Quisiera una ración de paella, por favor.I would like a serving of paella, please.
- La porción de pasta en este plato es demasiado grande.The serving of pasta on this plate is too big.
- ¿Puedes pasar una porción de pastel?Can you pass a serving of cake?
- ¿Me das una ración de helado, por favor?Can you give me a serving of ice cream, please?
- Esta porción de pastel es muy grande.This serving of cake is very large.
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are sharing a dessert at a cafe.
- Lucía¿Quieres compartir esta porción de pastel?Do you want to share this serving of cake?
- DanielSí, me parece una buena idea.Yes, that sounds like a good idea.
- LucíaLa porción es perfecta para los dos.The serving is perfect for both of us.
- DanielGracias, Lucía, vamos a comer.Thanks, Lucía, let's eat.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “serving” translations and entries porción, ración, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries porción, ración, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
