guarnición
/ɡwaɾniˈθjon/feminine
In Spanish, side dish is translated as guarnición. Wiktionary also lists agregado and acompañamiento.
Meaning: serving of food meant as an accompanying dish (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| guarnición | /ɡwaɾniˈθjon/ /ɡwaɾniˈsjon/ |
feminine |
| agregado | /aɡɾeˈɡado/ | masculine |
| acompañamiento | /akompaɲaˈmjento/ | masculine |
| acompañante | /akompaˈɲante/ | masculine |
A side dish is a serving of food meant as an accompanying dish. Common examples include arroz (rice), ensalada (salad) or pan (bread).
What does it mean word for word?
The term guarnición is related to the concept of garnishing or decorating a plate to complete the meal.
Which one should you use?
Guarnición is the most common and standard term for a side dish in a culinary context. While acompañamiento can also be used to describe something that accompanies a main dish, it can feel more abstract than the specific culinary term guarnición.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡwaɾniˈθjon/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using acompañante to refer to food. In Spanish, acompañante almost always refers to a person who accompanies someone.
Did you know?
- The word guarnición shares its root with the verb guarnir, which historically meant to equip or furnish a castle with a military garrison.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, the 'side dish' is not a separate part of the meal but is served mixed into the main plate, such as arroz con habichuelas.
- The term acompañamiento can refer to things beyond food, such as a musical accompaniment for a singer.
Examples in context
- ¿Cuál es tu guarnición favorita?What is your favorite side dish?This sentence helps you ask about a favorite side dish using guarnición.Tatoeba #10063041 by manufrutos, translation #10062776 by HAGNi
- Muchos compradores utilizaron sus tarjetas en moneda local para comprar pedazos de carne fresca o bolsas de kimchi, la omnipresente guarnición de Corea.Many shoppers used their local currency cards to buy fresh cuts of beef or bags of kimchi, Korea’s ubiquitous side dish.This sentence describes kimchi as a ubiquitous side dish using guarnición.Tatoeba #10063043 by manufrutos, translation #9834523 by Hybrid
- En el restaurante, me gustaría una guarnición de verduras a la parrilla, por favor.In the restaurant, I would like a side dish of grilled vegetables, please.
- El salmón es delicioso, pero ¿qué tipo de acompañamiento ofrecen con él?The salmon is delicious, but what kind of side dish do you offer with it?
- La guarnición de arroz es muy económica.The rice side dish is very inexpensive.
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are ordering dinner at a restaurant.
- DanielQuiero el salmón, pero ¿qué guarnición incluye?I want the salmon, but what side dish does it include?
- ElenaEl menú dice que viene con papas al horno.The menu says it comes with baked potatoes.
- DanielPerfecto, me gustan mucho las papas.Perfect, I really like potatoes.
- ElenaEntonces pide el salmón, Daniel.Then order the salmon, Daniel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “side dish” translations and entries guarnición, agregado, acompañamiento, acompañante, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries acompañamiento, acompañante, guarnición, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
