especias
/espeθjas/from spelling rules
The English phrase "spices" is translated into Spanish as especias.
especias refers to plant substances used to add flavor or color to food.
How does it change in a sentence?
especias is the plural form of the feminine noun especia, which is the singular form meaning "spice".
How do you pronounce it?
/espeθjas/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use especias to refer to seasonings in a general sense. In Spanish, especias specifically refers to dried plant parts, whereas condimentos is the broader term used for all seasonings, including salt and pepper.
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word for 'species' is especie, which is only one letter different from especia. Using the wrong one in a scientific context could lead a listener to think you are talking about cooking ingredients instead of biological classifications.
- While especias covers many flavors, the Spanish language has a dedicated word, pimentón, for smoked paprika. This specific especia is so culturally significant that it has its own protected designations of origin in Spain.
- In some Latin American regions, the term especias is often bypassed entirely in favor of aliños, a word used to describe the mixture of spices and aromatics used to prepare a dish.
Examples in context
- Una de mis especias favoritas es la canela.One of my favorite spices is cinnamon.This sentence is useful for identifying a favorite spice using the form especias.Tatoeba #10382321 by Seael, translation #6954771 by CK
- Las especias como el clavo venían de las islas de las Especias.Spices such as cloves came from the Spice Islands.This sentence is useful for mentioning historical spice origins using the form especias.Tatoeba #10168088 by manufrutos, translation #10165286 by CK
- El curry en polvo está compuesto por varias especias.Curry powder is composed of several spices.This sentence is useful for describing the components of curry powder using the form especias.Tatoeba #4068979 by mervert1, translation #4068835 by mervert1
- Este plato necesita una pizca de canela.This dish needs a pinch of cinnamon.
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are shopping for ingredients in a supermarket.
- MaríaNecesitamos comprar algunas especias para la cena.We need to buy some spices for dinner.
- Alejandro¿Qué especias quieres que busque, María?Which spices do you want me to look for, María?
- MaríaBusca especias que sean picantes.Look for spices that are spicy.
- AlejandroEstá bien, las encontraré enseguida.Okay, I will find them right away.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
