tomate
/toˈmate/masculine
The English word "tomato" is translated into Spanish as tomate. Wiktionary also lists jitomate.
Meaning: fruit (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tomate | /toˈmate/ | masculine |
| jitomate | /xitoˈmate/ | masculine |
tomate is a masculine noun meaning "fruit".
Which one should you use?
While tomate is the standard word for tomato in most Spanish-speaking countries, jitomate is a regionalism used primarily in Mexico.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, jitomate is the preferred term for "tomato" in informal conversations. In Spain, the tomato plant is called tomatera. Additionally, in some South American countries like Colombia and Ecuador, tomate de árbol refers to a different type of fruit known as the "tamarillo" or "tree tomato" in English.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of tomate is los tomates.
How do you pronounce it?
/toˈmate/
Did you know?
- In Spain, the city of Buñol hosts 'La Tomatina', a massive annual food fight where thousands of people throw overripe tomates at each other.
- The Mexican word jitomate literally translates to 'navel tomato' in English. This refers to the shape of the fruit's stem area, which resembles a belly button.
- If you ask for a tomate in Mexico, you might receive a green tomatillo instead of a red tomato. This is because jitomate is the specific term for the red variety used in many Mexican recipes.
Examples in context
- Es sopa de tomate.It’s tomato soup.This sentence is useful for identifying a tomato soup.Tatoeba #9993880 by manufrutos, translation #10010526 by Swalis
- Mary come un tomate.Mary eats a tomato.This sentence shows an action involving a tomate.Tatoeba #9458333 by ignacio, translation #6743312 by Eccles17
- Quiero sopa de tomate.I like tomato soup.This sentence is useful for expressing a preference for tomato soup.Tatoeba #7946576 by arh, translation #7946008 by CK
- En la ensalada, añade algunos tomates cortados en rodajas finas.In the salad, add some thinly sliced tomatoes.
- Hoy necesito comprar algunos tomates rojos para hacer salsa.Today I need to buy some red tomatoes to make sauce.
- En Colombia, el "tomate de árbol" es una fruta diferente que se utiliza para hacer jugos.In Colombia, "tomate de árbol" is a different fruit used to make juices.
- En el jardín, tengo una hermosa tomatera llena de tomates rojos.In the garden, I have a beautiful tomato plant full of red tomatoes.
- 34 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are in the kitchen making lunch.
- Lucía¿Tienes un tomate para la ensalada, Mateo?Do you have a tomato for the salad, Mateo?
- MateoSí, tengo este tomate fresco.Yes, I have this fresh tomato.
- LucíaPerfecto, es el tomate ideal.Perfect, it is the ideal tomato.
- MateoLo cortaré ahora mismo, Lucía.I will cut it right now, Lucía.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tomato” translations and entries tomate, jitomate, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries jitomate, tomate, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
