ácido
/ˈaθido/
The Spanish word for tangy is ácido.
ácido is used to describe a sharp, pungent flavor. If you want to describe something that is both sweet and tangy, you can use the phrase ácido dulzón. For a more technical or descriptive culinary sense of a slightly tangy or acidic flavor, you can use acidulado.
Meaning: having a sharp, pungent flavor (adj)
Which one should you use?
While ácido refers to a pleasant or sharp tanginess, the word agrio is often used for a sour or unpleasant taste, such as spoiled milk or a harsh sourness. Additionally, acidulado can be used to describe a slightly tangy or acidic flavor, often in a more technical or descriptive culinary sense than the simple ácido.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective ácido changes to ácida to agree with a feminine noun, such as la fruta ácida (the tangy fruit).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈaθido/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word ácido can also be used to describe a person's sense of humor if it is sharp or biting, much like 'acidic' or 'sarcastic' in English.
- The word ácido is a 'learned borrowing' from the Latin acidus, meaning it was consciously reintroduced into the language by scholars rather than evolving naturally through common speech.
- While ácido is used for flavors, it is also the standard word for 'acid' in chemistry, meaning the same word describes both a lemon and sulfuric acid.
Examples in context
- La salsa de limón tiene un sabor ácido y refrescante.The lemon sauce has a tangy and refreshing taste.
- Las naranjas verdes son conocidas por su pulpa ácida y jugosa.Green oranges are known for their tangy and juicy flesh.
- Este limón está muy ácido.This lemon is very tangy.
- Me gusta el sabor ácido de la salsa.I like the tangy flavor of the sauce.
- La fruta tiene un toque ácido.The fruit has a tangy touch.
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are tasting a new salad at lunch.
- SofíaPrueba el aderezo, es un poco ácido.Try the dressing, it is a bit tangy.
- JavierTienes razón, me gusta mucho.You are right, I like it a lot.
- Sofía¿Crees que necesita más sal?Do you think it needs more salt?
- JavierNo, el sabor ácido es perfecto así.No, the tangy flavor is perfect as it is.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ácido, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ácido, CC BY-SA 4.0.
