alimentos no perecederos
/alimentos no peɾeθedeɾos/from spelling rules
In Spanish, shelf stable food is translated as alimentos no perecederos.
This phrase refers to food that can be stored at room temperature for a long time without spoiling. While English speakers use the term 'shelf stable' to describe the storage condition, Spanish speakers almost exclusively use the term 'no perecederos' (non-perishable) to describe the same concept.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of alimentos (foods), no (not) and perecederos (perishable).
Which one should you use?
Alimentos de larga duración is a formal way to say 'long-lasting foods', whereas alimentos no perecederos is the formal way to say 'non-perishable foods'. For an informal approach, you can use comida que no se echa a perder to mean 'food that doesn't go bad'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase must agree in number. Use the singular alimento no perecedero for a single type of food and the plural alimentos no perecederos for multiple types or a general category.
How do you pronounce it?
/alimentos no peɾeθedeɾos/
Did you know?
- The verb perecer inside the term alimentos no perecederos means 'to perish' or 'to die'. This gives the phrase a more dramatic tone than the clinical English term 'shelf stable'.
- If you are in a kitchen and want to sound natural, you might describe these items as comida que no se echa a perder, which literally translates to 'food that does not throw itself to ruin'.
- Spanish uses the term no perecedero for things other than food, such as certain types of industrial materials or documents, whereas English usually reserves 'shelf stable' strictly for food and medicine.
Examples in context
- Al viajar a regiones remotas, es recomendable llevar alimentos no perecederos para evitar problemas de abastecimiento.When traveling to remote areas, it's advisable to carry non-perishable foods to avoid supply issues.
- Me encanta tener comida que no se echa a perder en caso de una emergencia.I love having food that doesn't go bad in case of an emergency.
- Necesitamos comprar más alimentos no perecederos.We need to buy more shelf stable food.
- La despensa está llena de alimentos no perecederos.The pantry is full of shelf stable food.
- Los alimentos no perecederos son útiles en emergencias.Shelf stable food is useful in emergencies.
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are making a shopping list for an emergency kit.
- ElenaDaniel, ¿qué alimentos no perecederos debemos comprar?Daniel, what shelf stable food should we buy?
- DanielPodemos comprar latas de atún y arroz.We can buy cans of tuna and rice.
- ElenaPerfecto, los alimentos no perecederos duran mucho tiempo.Perfect, shelf stable food lasts a long time.
- DanielSí, son ideales para tener en casa.Yes, they are ideal to have at home.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
