What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to 'it tastes rich', where rico functions as 'delicious' or 'tasty' rather than 'wealthy'.
Which one should you use?
While sabe rico is very common in Latin America, in Spain it is more common to use está rico to express that food tastes good.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Using rico to describe food is slightly more colloquial and common in everyday speech than using the more formal sabe bien. If you need to be formal, you can use Tiene un sabor exquisito to say it has an exquisite flavor or Es un manjar to describe gourmet or exquisite dishes. For informal situations, you might use Está riquísimo/a to say something is delicious, Está de muerte to say it is to die for or the exclamatory ¡Qué rico/a! to say 'How delicious!'
Is it said differently in some regions?
The expression Está de rechupete is an informal phrase from Spain meaning 'it's unbelievably tasty'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the third-person singular form of the verb saber (to taste/to know) to agree with a singular subject like la comida (the food). If the subject is plural, such as los tacos, the phrase must change to saben ricos to maintain number agreement.
How do you pronounce it?
/sabe ɾiko/
Did you know?
- While rico means 'delicious' regarding food, calling a person rico or rica in many Latin American countries can be a comment on their physical attractiveness.
- The word rico shares an ancient ancestor with the English word 'rich', but its roots trace back to a Proto-Germanic word meaning 'mighty' or 'powerful'.
- The informal expression está de rechupete comes from the sound of someone licking their lips, which is the action of 'chupar' (to lick).
Examples in context
- Este plato de mariscos está deliciosoThis seafood dish is delicious
- El vino tinto tiene un sabor exquisitoThe red wine has an exquisite flavor
- Esta salsa está para chuparse los dedosThis sauce is finger-licking good
- El chocolate negro es un manjarDark chocolate is a delicacy
- Esta pizza está riquísimaThis pizza is delicious
- El postre está de rechupeteThe dessert is unbelievably tasty
- El pan recién horneado sabe a gloriaFreshly baked bread tastes like heaven
- La paella está de muerteThe paella is to die for
- Esta sopa sabe rico.This soup tastes good.
- Este chocolate sabe rico.This chocolate tastes good.
- La sopa sabe rico.The soup tastes good.
- ¡Ese postre sabe rico!That dessert tastes good!
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are eating lunch at a restaurant.
- Lucía¿Qué te parece la pasta?What do you think of the pasta?
- MateoMe encanta, sabe rico.I love it, it tastes good.
- LucíaQué bueno que te guste, Mateo.I'm glad you like it, Mateo.
- MateoSí, es deliciosa.Yes, it is delicious.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries rico, CC BY-SA 4.0.
