verdura
general, Mexico
The common Mexican word for a vegetable is verdura. Hortaliza is more formal and appears in writing about farming. Both are feminine and normally used in the plural, verduras.
Meaning: edible plant such as carrot or spinach (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| verdura | general, Mexico |
| hortaliza | formal |
In the singular, verdura sounds like a type or a piece of produce: una verdura de hoja verde.
Which one should you use?
Spanish uses fruta for fruit and verdura for vegetables, and this boundary is the same in Mexico.
When do people say it?
Cactus paddles, called nopales, are a common vegetable in Mexican home cooking.
Did you know?
- Mexicans often say verduras in the plural for any mix of vegetables, even when only one is meant.
Examples in context
- El brócoli es mi verdura favorita.Broccoli is my favorite vegetable.
- Esa verdura se cuece rápido.That vegetable cooks quickly.
- Las hortalizas se cultivan en invernadero.The vegetables are grown in a greenhouse.
Example conversation
Irma asks her son Diego to name his favorite vegetable.
- IrmaDiego, ¿cuál es tu verdura favorita?Diego, what is your favorite vegetable?
- DiegoMe gusta la zanahoria.I like carrot.
- IrmaEntonces hoy hacemos sopa de verduras.Then today we make vegetable soup.
- DiegoSí, con mucha zanahoria.Yes, with lots of carrot.
