maíz dulce
/maiθ dulθe/from spelling rulesmasculine
The English phrase "sweet corn" is maíz dulce in Spanish.
The term is used to describe corn that is suitable for eating by humans.
Meaning: corn suitable for eating by humans (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
This phrase is a literal translation where maíz means "corn" and dulce means "sweet".
Which one should you use?
While maíz dulce specifically refers to the sweet variety for eating, the term maíz on its own is the general term for all types of corn, including field corn used for livestock or grain.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and some parts of Central America, the term elotes is used to refer to both boiled and roasted sweet corn on the cob. In Venezuela, the term for sweet corn is jojoto.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because maíz is a masculine noun, you must use the masculine article el when referring to the specific sweet corn.
How do you pronounce it?
/maiθ dulθe/
Did you know?
- The word maíz is not of European origin but was borrowed into Spanish from the Taíno language of the Caribbean.
- In Mexico, elotes refers to sweet corn on the cob, but it is also the name of a street food dish where the corn is topped with mayonnaise, chili and cheese.
Examples in context
- Me encanta comer maíz dulce en la ensalada.I love eating sweet corn in my salad.
- Vamos a hacer una parrillada con choclos.Let's have a barbecue with sweet corn.
- Me encanta comer elotes con mantequilla y queso.I love eating corn on the cob with butter and cheese.
- En Venezuela, el jojoto es un ingrediente esencial en la arepa.In Venezuela, sweet corn is an essential ingredient in arepas.
- El maíz dulce es muy rico.The sweet corn is very delicious.
- Compré maíz dulce en el mercado.I bought sweet corn at the market.
- Necesitamos maíz dulce para la receta.We need sweet corn for the recipe.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are at the grocery store.
- Mateo¿Hay maíz dulce en esta sección?Is there any sweet corn in this section?
- LucíaSí, el maíz dulce está por aquí.Yes, the sweet corn is over here.
- MateoPerfecto, vamos a llevar un poco.Perfect, let's take some.
- LucíaDe acuerdo, Mateo.Okay, Mateo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sweet corn” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dulce, maíz, CC BY-SA 4.0.
