Which one should you use?
While rico is a very common way to say something is tasty, it is important to note that it also means 'rich' or 'wealthy' when used to describe a person or a country. In a culinary context, you might also encounter sabroso/a, which means 'tasty' or 'flavorful' and exquisito/a, which is used to express that a flavor is 'exquisite' or 'gourmet'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective rico must agree in gender and number with the food item it describes. Use rico for masculine singular nouns, rica for feminine singular nouns, ricos for masculine plural nouns and ricas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈriko/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly believe that sabroso is the only way to say tasty, but rico is much more common in everyday conversational Spanish.
Did you know?
- In some regions, using rico to describe a person's physical appearance can carry a flirtatious or even sexual connotation, much different from 'tasty'.
- The word rico traces its ancestry back to the Gothic word reiks, which meant 'mighty' or 'powerful'.
- In Mexico, you might hear the word rico used to describe a pleasant sensation that has nothing to do with taste, such as a comfortable bed or a relaxing massage.
Examples in context
- ¡Dios mío! ¡Qué rico está ese hummus!My goodness, that is some tasty hummus!This sentence shows how to use rico to express excitement about the taste of hummus.Tatoeba #6989590 by cueyayotl, translation #3268031 by Vincinho
- De vez en cuando, me apetecería mucho tomarme algo rico.Every once in a while, I would feel a lot like having something tasty.This sentence uses rico to describe a desire for something tasty to eat.Tatoeba #7109819 by arh, translation #8160963 by magnificentgoddess
- ¡Qué rico!So tasty!This sentence shows a simple, common exclamation using rico to praise food.Tatoeba #931056 by Shishir, translation #4091866 by andymakespasta
- El plato principal está delicioso.The main dish is delicious.
- La sopa está deliciosa.The soup is delicious.
- El postre de chocolate es exquisito.The chocolate dessert is exquisite.
- La salsa picante está exquisita.The spicy sauce is exquisite.
- La comida tradicional es muy sabrosa.Traditional food is very tasty.
- El café de este lugar es sabroso.The coffee from this place is tasty.
- ¡Qué rico está el pastel!How tasty the cake is!
- La fruta es rica y refrescante.The fruit is delicious and refreshing.
- Estos tacos están muy buenos.These tacos are really tasty.
- Prueba esta comida, está buena.Try this food, it's good/tasty.
- Ese amigo es un comilón, siempre busca la comida más sabrosa.That friend is a big eater, always looking for the tastiest food.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are eating dinner together.
- DanielPrueba este pastel, está muy rico.Try this cake, it is very tasty.
- ElenaTienes razón, está realmente rico.You are right, it is really tasty.
- Daniel¿Quieres otro trozo, Elena?Do you want another piece, Elena?
- ElenaSí, por favor, Daniel.Yes, please, Daniel.
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.
