manteca de karité
/manteka de kaɾite/from spelling rules
The English phrase shea butter is manteca de karité in Spanish.
The term refers to the fat extracted from the fruit of the shea tree.
Meaning: fat extracted from the fruit of the shea tree (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of manteca (butter/fat) and de karité (of shea).
Did you know?
- While manteca is used for 'shea butter', you would never use it to describe the 'butter' you spread on toast, which is called mantequilla.
- The term karité is a phonetic adaptation of the West African languages from which the tree originates, rather than a word with Spanish roots.
- The word manteca has an uncertain origin and may stem from Paleo-Hispanic languages that existed on the Iberian Peninsula before Latin even arrived.
Examples in context
- Me gustaría comprar un poco de manteca de karité para mis cremas caseras.I would like to buy some shea butter for my homemade creams.
- Este producto contiene mantequilla de karité de alta calidad.This product contains high-quality shea butter.
- La manteca de karité es muy buena para la piel.Shea butter is very good for the skin.
- Compré una crema con manteca de karité.I bought a cream with shea butter.
- Busco un jabón que tenga manteca de karité.I am looking for a soap that has shea butter.
Example conversation
Mateo and María are at a beauty supply store.
- Mateo¿Tienes algún producto con manteca de karité?Do you have any product with shea butter?
- MaríaSí, tenemos este aceite de manteca de karité.Yes, we have this shea butter oil.
- MateoPerfecto, me llevo este para mi novia.Perfect, I'll take this one for my girlfriend.
- MaríaEs una excelente elección para ella.It is an excellent choice for her.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shea butter” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, manteca, CC BY-SA 4.0.
