tortilla de patatas
/toɾˌtiʝa de paˈtatas/Spain, feminine
In Spanish, 'spanish omelette' is tortilla de patatas. Wiktionary also lists tortilla and tortilla de papas.
Meaning: omelette with fried potatoes (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tortilla de patatas | /toɾˌtiʝa de paˈtatas/ | Spain, feminine |
| tortilla | /toɾˈtiʝa/ | feminine |
| tortilla de papas | /toɾˌtiʝa de ˈpapas/ | Canary Islands, feminine |
| tortilla española | /toɾˌtiʝa espaˈɲola/ | feminine |
While the word tortilla can refer to any omelette, in Spain it is most commonly understood to refer specifically to the potato omelette unless specified otherwise.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase tortilla de patatas literally translates to 'omelette of potatoes'.
Which one should you use?
The term tortilla española is often used in international contexts to distinguish the Spanish potato omelette from other types of omelettes.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Canary Islands, the word papas is used instead of patatas for potatoes, so you will hear tortilla de papas there.
How does it change in a sentence?
All forms of this phrase are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/toɾˌtiʝa de paˈtatas/
Did you know?
- There is a fierce and ongoing national debate in Spain over whether a tortilla de patatas should contain onions or only potatoes.
- The word tortilla actually traces its roots back to a 'round flatbread' rather than an egg-based dish.
- In Spain, you can order a pincho de tortilla, which is a small cube of omelette served on a piece of bread and held together by a toothpick.
Examples in context
- Por favor, haceme una tortilla de papas para cenar.Can you make me a Spanish omelette for dinner please?This sentence is useful for practicing how to request a tortilla for a meal.Tatoeba #843179 by hayastan, translation #843256 by parheliu
- Para el almuerzo, serviremos una deliciosa tortilla española.For lunch, we will serve a delicious Spanish omelette.
- ¡Me encanta la tortilla de patatas que cocina mi abuela!I love the potato omelette my grandma cooks!
- Vamos a preparar una tortilla para la cena.We are going to make a Spanish omelette for dinner.
- La tortilla de patatas es mi plato favorito.The Spanish omelette is my favorite dish.
- He comprado una tortilla de patatas para el picnic.I have bought a Spanish omelette for the picnic.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are at a tapas bar.
- Alejandro¿Qué quieres comer hoy, Lucía?What do you want to eat today, Lucía?
- LucíaTengo ganas de comer tortilla de patatas.I feel like eating Spanish omelette.
- AlejandroEs una idea estupenda.That is a great idea.
- LucíaPidamos una para compartir entonces.Let's order one to share then.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “spanish omelette” translations and entries tortilla de patatas, tortilla, tortilla de papas, tortilla española, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, tortilla, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
