cuchara
/kuˈt͡ʃaɾa/feminine
The Spanish word for spoon is cuchara.
The word cuchara refers to a scooped utensil used for eating or serving. It can also be used as a verb in sailing terminology. Additionally, the related verb cucharear means to lie together.
Meaning: scooped utensil for eating (or serving) (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun cuchara is feminine. Because of this, you should use the feminine article la (la cuchara) instead of the masculine el.
How do you pronounce it?
/kuˈtʃaɾa/
Did you know?
- The word cuchara shares its ancestry with the English word 'shell', as both descend from the Latin word for a snail shell, which was used as a primitive spoon.
- In some Latin American slang, 'cucharear' can also mean to 'scoop up' or take advantage of a situation, shifting from the literal sense of the utensil.
- In traditional Spanish cooking, a cucharada is used as a standard informal unit of measurement, meaning 'one tablespoon'.
Examples in context
- Tom bajó la cuchara.Tom set down his spoon.This sentence shows the use of cuchara.Tatoeba #3483627 by gianich73, translation #3483232 by CK
- Ella lamió la cuchara.She licked the spoon.Tatoeba #1128040 by hayastan, translation #4254252 by negativeclock
- Esta cuchara es de té.This spoon is for tea.Tatoeba #1691516 by hayastan, translation #1691837 by CK
- Por favor, pásame una cuchara.Please pass me a spoon.
- ¿Me pasas la cucharita, por favor?Can you pass me the spoon, please?
- 34 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In the kitchen, Lucía is preparing a meal.
- LucíaDaniel, ¿puedes traer una cuchara?Daniel, can you bring a spoon?
- DanielSí, Lucía, aquí tienes la cuchara.Yes, Lucía, here is the spoon.
- LucíaGracias, la necesito para la sopa.Thank you, I need it for the soup.
- DanielDe nada, la sopa parece deliciosa.You're welcome, the soup looks delicious.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “spoon” translations and entries cuchara, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cuchara, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
