tempura
/temˈpuɾa/
The Spanish word for tempura is tempura.
The word tempura refers to a dish made by deep-frying food in a light batter. You can use it to describe specific varieties, such as tempura de camarones (shrimp tempura), tempura de verduras (vegetable tempura) or tempura mixto (mixed tempura).
Meaning: dish made by deep-frying food in a light batter (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun tempura can be used in the plural form las tempuras when you are referring to multiple types or servings of the dish.
How do you pronounce it?
/temˈpuɾa/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word tempura actually travelled from Portugal to Japan and then back to Spain. It is a rare example of a word that entered the Spanish language via a Japanese loanword that was originally Portuguese.
- The popularity of tempura in Spanish menus grew significantly alongside the 'fusion' food trend, leading to the creation of dishes like tempura de queso, which is fried cheese in Japanese batter.
- While tempura refers to the batter and the dish, Spanish speakers use the word rebozado to describe the more common style of breading food in flour and egg.
Examples in context
- ¿Cuál te gusta más, sushi o tempura?Which do you like better, sushi or tempura?This sentence is useful for comparing two different food options.Tatoeba #1192420 by marcelostockle, translation #69231 by CK
- Estábamos cocinando tempura en aquel momento.We were cooking tempura at that time.This sentence is useful for describing an action happening in the past.Tatoeba #1422821 by peibolvig, translation #262773 by CK
- No me gusta mucho la tempura. Creo que es demasiado aceitosa.I don't like tempura much. I think it's too greasy.This sentence is useful for expressing a personal dislike or opinion about a food being too greasy.Tatoeba #10757815 by Marshmallow, translation #10758578 by DJ_Saidez
Example conversation
A couple is deciding what to order at a Japanese restaurant.
- JavierHoy tengo muchas ganas de comer tempura.I really feel like eating tempura today.
- Lucía¿Quieres que pidamos una ración de tempura para compartir?Do you want to order a portion of tempura to share?
- JavierSí, me encanta la tempura de verduras.Yes, I love vegetable tempura.
- LucíaPerfecto, la pediré ahora mismo.Perfect, I will order it right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tempura” translations and entries tempura, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tempura, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
