vainilla
general, Mexico
The word for vanilla in Mexican Spanish is vainilla. It is feminine, so it is la vainilla and helado de vainilla for "vanilla ice cream".
Mexicans use vainilla for the flavor, for the pod and for the extract, which is sold as extracto de vainilla.
Meaning: sweet flavoring from an orchid pod (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
Vanilla is native to Mexico, and the area around Papantla in Veracruz is famous for it.
How do you pronounce it?
Say it as "vy-NEE-yah". The double letters i and ll together sound like "ee-y".
Did you know?
- Vanilla comes from an orchid native to Mexico, and the Totonac people of Veracruz were among the first to cultivate it.
Examples in context
- Quiero un helado de vainilla.I want a vanilla ice cream.
- El pastel lleva extracto de vainilla.The cake has vanilla extract.
- Compré vainas de vainilla en Papantla.I bought vanilla pods in Papantla.
Example conversation
Carmen bakes with her daughter Lucía.
- LucíaMamá, ¿qué le echo al pastel?Mom, what do I add to the cake?
- CarmenUna cucharadita de vainilla.A teaspoon of vanilla.
- LucíaHuele muy rico.It smells very good.
- CarmenEs vainilla de Veracruz.It is vanilla from Veracruz.
