cúrcuma
/ˈkuɾkuma/feminine
In Spanish, turmeric is cúrcuma. If unsure, use cúrcuma. Wiktionary also lists palillo.
Meaning: spice (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cúrcuma | /ˈkuɾkuma/ | feminine |
| palillo | /paˈliʝo/ | masculine |
The term refers to the spice used in cooking.
Which one should you use?
While cúrcuma is a feminine noun, the alternative term palillo is a masculine noun.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain regions, such as Peru, the word palillo is used to refer to turmeric, though it is also a common word for 'toothpick'.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because cúrcuma is a feminine noun, it is preceded by the feminine article la (e.g., la cúrcuma).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkuɾkuma/
Did you know?
- The word cúrcuma traces its origins back to the Arabic word kurkum, reflecting the historical influence of Arabic cuisine and trade on the Spanish language.
- In Peru, calling for palillo could lead to a misunderstanding, as the word is used for both turmeric and a 'toothpick'.
- The word palillo is used for several different items depending on the country, ranging from 'toothpick' to 'small stick' or even 'pasta' in some contexts.
Examples in context
- La cúrcuma da un color amarillo intenso a los alimentos.Turmeric gives food an intense yellow color.This sentence is useful for seeing how cúrcuma can be used to describe the coloring properties of the spice in food.Tatoeba #10838630 by Seael, translation #10838968 by Luornu
- Esta receta tradicional india incluye cúrcuma como especia principal.This traditional Indian recipe uses turmeric as the main spice.
- La cúrcuma es muy buena para la salud.Turmeric is very good for your health.
- Necesito comprar un poco de cúrcuma en el mercado.I need to buy some turmeric at the market.
Example conversation
A kitchen where two people are preparing a healthy soup.
- María¿Tienes la cúrcuma para la sopa, Alejandro?Do you have the turmeric for the soup, Alejandro?
- AlejandroSí, la tengo aquí en la despensa.Yes, I have it here in the pantry.
- MaríaPerfecto, esa especia le dará un gran color.Perfect, that spice will give it a great color.
- AlejandroTienes razón, María, queda mucho mejor así.You're right, María, it turns out much better this way.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “turmeric” translations and entries cúrcuma, palillo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cúrcuma, palillo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
