leche desnatada
/ˌlet͡ʃe desnaˈtada/
The English phrase 'skinny milk' is translated into Spanish as leche desnatada.
While leche desnatada is a common way to say 'skimmed milk', you may also encounter terms for 'low-fat milk' or 'skimmed milk'.
What does it mean word for word?
The adjective desnatada is the past participle of the verb desnatar, which means 'to skim', specifically in the context of removing the cream from milk.
Which one should you use?
If you want to specify whole milk instead of skinny milk, use leche entera.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌletʃe desnaˈtada/
Did you know?
- The term leche is used in the phrase está hecho una leche to describe something that is a complete mess or disaster.
- The root of leche, the Proto-Indo-European '*ǵlákts', is also the ancestor of the Greek word 'galaktos', used in 'galaxy'.
- While leche desnatada is standard in Spain, people in Mexico often use leche light when shopping for low-fat options.
Examples in context
- Quiero un café con leche descremadaI want a coffee with skimmed milk
- Me gustaría un capuchino con leche baja en grasaI would like a cappuccino with low-fat milk
- En el supermercado, siempre compro leche descremada.At the supermarket, I always buy skimmed milk.
- ¿Sabes si tienen leche baja en grasa en esta cafetería?Do you know if they have low-fat milk at this café?
- Me encanta el café con leche desnatada.I love coffee with skim milk.
- ¿Puede ser un té con leche light?Can I have a tea with light milk?
- Prefiero la leche desnatada en mi café.I prefer skinny milk in my coffee.
- ¿Tienen leche desnatada para el cereal?Do you have skinny milk for the cereal?
- Solo quiero un vaso de leche desnatada.I only want a glass of skinny milk.
Example conversation
A woman is ordering a coffee at a cafe.
- DanielHola, ¿me das un café con leche desnatada?Hello, can I have a coffee with skinny milk?
- LucíaClaro, ¿quieres también algo de azúcar, Daniel?Sure, do you also want some sugar, Daniel?
- DanielNo, gracias, prefiero no usar azúcar.No, thanks, I prefer not to use sugar.
- LucíaMuy bien, aquí tienes tu café.Very well, here is your coffee.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry leche desnatada, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries leche, CC BY-SA 4.0.
