rico
/ˈriko/
To taste good in Spanish is rico.
The phrase is used to describe food that has a pleasant or delicious flavor. In many Spanish-speaking regions, the verb saber is used with the adjective rico (saber rico) to express this. While rico can also mean 'rich' in terms of wealth or nutrients, in the context of food, it specifically refers to a delicious taste.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term rico is used to say that something tastes good.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word rico is an adjective and must agree in gender and number with the food being described, taking the forms rico/rica/ricos/ricas.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈriko/
What mistakes should you avoid?
While gustar means 'to be pleasing to', it does not describe the flavor itself. Instead, use saber rico to say something tastes good.
When do people say it?
If you want to convey that you love how something tastes, you can say Me encanta cómo sabe.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, calling a dish rico is a high compliment, but it can also be used to describe a person as 'attractive' or 'sweet' in a flirtatious way.
- The word rico originally had nothing to do with flavor, as it comes from a Gothic word meaning 'mighty' or 'powerful'.
- While rico is used for flavor, Spanish has a separate word, sabroso, which specifically highlights the intensity of the flavor or 'savoriness'.
Examples in context
- Estas galletas no son caras, pero saben rico.These cookies aren't expensive, but they taste good.This sentence shows how to use rico to describe cookies that aren't expensive but taste good.Tatoeba #2943230 by marcelostockle, translation #61197 by CK
- Para muchos expertos, las langostas y los gusanos de la harina, entre otros, son el alimento del futuro porque son ricos en proteínas y mucho menos dañinos para el medio ambiente que, por ejemplo, las vacas. Pero, ¿son también sabrosos?According to many experts, locusts and mealworms, among other insects, are the food of the future because they are rich in proteins and much less environmentally harmful than, for example, cattle. But, do they also taste good?This sentence uses rico to question if certain insects also taste good.Tatoeba #10593987 by Adelpa, translation #10619399 by sangelo
- Este plato de mariscos está delicioso.This seafood dish tastes delicious.
- Las fresas están deliciosas.The strawberries taste delicious.
- El caviar es exquisito.Caviar is exquisite.
- Esta tarta de chocolate es exquisita.This chocolate cake is exquisite.
- Me encanta cómo sabe esta sopa.I love how this soup tastes.
- Me encanta cómo sabe el vino.I love how the wine tastes.
- Esta pizza está rica.This pizza tastes good.
- Los tacos están ricos.The tacos taste good.
- Estos dulces están buenísimos.These sweets taste amazing.
- La paella está buenísima.The paella tastes incredible.
- Este plato de arroz está sabroso.This rice dish tastes flavorful.
- La fruta está sabrosa.The fruit tastes delicious.
- Esa lasaña está muy sabrosa.That lasagna tastes very flavorful.
- El postre está realmente delicioso.The dessert tastes truly delicious.
- El chocolate está muy rico.The chocolate tastes very good.
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are eating dinner together.
- JavierPrueba la sopa, está rico.Taste the soup, it tastes good.
- SofíaTienes razón, sabe muy rico.You are right, it tastes very good.
- Javier¿Quieres más?Do you want more?
- SofíaSí, por favor, Javier.Yes, please, Javier.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry rico, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries rico, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
