entrante
/enˈtɾante/
The Spanish word for starter is entrante.
entrante is used to refer to the first course of a formal meal.
Meaning: first course of a meal (noun)
Which one should you use?
While entrante refers to the first course of a formal meal, the term aperitivo is often used for a small snack or appetizer served before a meal or with drinks. Additionally, aperitivo can refer to a specific alcoholic drink consumed before a meal.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The informal term picoteo is used in Spain and some Latin American countries to mean a starter or appetizer.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of entrante is entrantes.
How do you pronounce it?
/enˈtɾante/
Did you know?
- The word 'picoteo' comes from the verb 'picar', which means 'to peck' like a bird, suggesting that eating starters is a series of small, bird-like bites.
- Depending on the context, entrante can describe a person who is entering a room or joining a conversation, not just a dish of food.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, a 'picoteo' is not just a course but a social event where people stand up and eat small bites from various plates to socialize.
Examples in context
- Me gustaría pedir el primer plato del menú.I would like to order the starter from the menu.
- ¿Ya decidiste qué entrada pedirás?Have you decided what starter you will order?
- Vamos a disfrutar del picoteo antes de la cena.Let's enjoy the starter bites before dinner
- Pedimos un entrante de verduras.We ordered a vegetable starter.
- El entrante de la cena estaba delicioso.The starter of the dinner was delicious.
- Voy a pedir un entrante de marisco.I am going to order a seafood starter.
- ¿Qué entrante nos recomiendas hoy?What starter do you recommend to us today?
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are sitting in a restaurant deciding what to order.
- DanielSofía, ¿quieres compartir un entrante?Sofía, do you want to share a starter?
- SofíaSí, me parece una buena idea.Yes, I think that is a good idea.
- DanielEste entrante de queso es muy famoso.This cheese starter is very famous.
- SofíaPerfecto, vamos a pedirlo.Perfect, let's order it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry entrante, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
