leche desnatada
/ˌlet͡ʃe desnaˈtada/feminine
In Spanish, skim milk is leche desnatada. Wiktionary also lists leche descremada.
Meaning: milk with removed cream (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| leche desnatada | /ˌlet͡ʃe desnaˈtada/ | feminine |
| leche descremada | /let͡ʃe deskɾemada/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
Both leche desnatada and leche descremada are used to refer to milk with the cream removed.
What does it mean word for word?
The adjective desnatada means skimmed or de-creamed.
Which one should you use?
While both terms refer to the same product, they are preferred in different regions. To specify whole milk instead of skim milk, use leche entera.
Is it said differently in some regions?
leche desnatada is common in Spain, while in Mexico, people commonly use the term leche descremada to refer to skim milk.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because leche is a feminine noun, the accompanying adjective must also be feminine, ending in -a.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌletʃe desnaˈtada/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, the phrase está leche or ser la leche is used as slang to describe something amazing or incredible.
- In Spain, calling someone leche or saying they have mala leche refers to having a bad temper or being grumpy.
- The word leche shares an ancient root with the English word 'lactate'. Both descend from the Proto-Indo-European word *ǵlákts.
Examples in context
- Tomaré leche desnatada.I'll have skim milk.This sentence is useful for ordering leche desnatada.Tatoeba #1938688 by teskmon, translation #901554 by joeycrunch
- Ayer compré leche desnatada en el supermercado.Yesterday, I bought some skim milk at the grocery store.
- Prefiero la leche desgrasada porque tiene menos calorías.I prefer skim milk because it has fewer calories.
- Prefiero la leche desnatada con el café.I prefer skim milk with my coffee.
- Solo queda leche desnatada en la nevera.There is only skim milk left in the fridge.
Example conversation
At a grocery store, Sofía and Alejandro are shopping.
- Sofía¿Necesitas comprar leche desnatada?Do you need to buy skim milk?
- AlejandroSí, por favor, busca la leche desnatada.Yes, please, look for the skim milk.
- SofíaEstá en el pasillo de los lácteos.It is in the dairy aisle.
- AlejandroGracias, Sofía, ya la encontré.Thanks, Sofía, I found it already.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “skim milk” translations and entries leche desnatada, 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 leche, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.