vaina de vainilla
/baina de bainiʝa/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'vanilla bean' is translated into Spanish as vaina de vainilla.
The term refers to the seedpod of any plant in the Vanilla genus.
Meaning: the seedpod of any plant in the Vanilla genus (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word vaina literally means 'pod', 'husk' or 'sheath', which refers to the physical structure of the bean.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Central America, the term vainilla en vara might be used for vanilla bean.
Did you know?
- The word vaina is a linguistic doublet of the English word 'vagina', as both derive from the Latin word for 'sheath'.
- The word vaina can also be used as slang in certain countries to mean 'nonsense' or 'nothing', which is quite different from a botanical pod.
- The term vaina is used across different Spanish dialects to refer to everything from a pea pod to a sword sheath.
Examples in context
- Quisiera comprar unas vainas de vainilla para hacer un postre especial.I would like to buy some vanilla beans to make a special dessert.
- ¿Alguien sabe dónde puedo conseguir vainilla en rama para el pastel de cumpleaños?Does anyone know where I can get vanilla beans for the birthday cake?
- Necesito una vaina de vainilla para el pastel.I need a vanilla bean for the cake.
- La vaina de vainilla tiene un aroma muy intenso.The vanilla bean has a very intense aroma.
- ¿Dónde puedo comprar la vaina de vainilla?Where can I buy the vanilla bean?
Example conversation
Javier and María are in a kitchen preparing dessert.
- JavierMaría, ¿tienes una vaina de vainilla?María, do you have a vanilla bean?
- MaríaSí, la tengo en la despensa.Yes, I have it in the pantry.
- JavierPerfecto, la usaré para la crema.Perfect, I will use it for the cream.
- MaríaMe parece una excelente idea.I think that is an excellent idea.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, vaina, vainilla, CC BY-SA 4.0.
