Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| nata montada | /ˌnata monˈtada/ | Spain, feminine |
| crema chantillí | /kɾema t͡ʃantiʝi/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| chantillí | /t͡ʃantiˈʝi/ | masculine |
| chantilly | /t͡ʃantiʝi/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
The term refers to thick cream that has had air incorporated into it by rapid beating.
What does it mean word for word?
The term nata montada literally translates to 'mounted cream', where montada refers to the process of beating or whipping the cream to increase its volume.
Which one should you use?
While nata montada is a general description of the texture, crema chantillí specifically refers to whipped cream that has been sweetened and flavored with vanilla. The terms chantillí and chantilly are also used to refer to this flavored version.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Nata montada is the standard term used in Spain to refer to whipped cream.
How does it change in a sentence?
chantillí is a masculine noun, whereas crema chantillí is a feminine noun phrase. The spelling chantilly is a common variant used to refer to the flavored whipped cream.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌnata monˈtada/
Did you know?
- The word nata comes from the French word for 'mat', describing the way the cream forms a layer on top of milk like a mat covers a floor.
- While you might call it nata montada, the term chantillí is actually a proper name, borrowed from the French town of Chantilly.
- While nata montada is the standard way to say whipped cream in Spain, it can sound distinctly foreign or overly specific to speakers in other Spanish-speaking regions.
Examples in context
- Una pequeña cantidad de brandy se añade a la nata montada.A small amount of brandy is added to the whipped cream.This sentence is useful for describing how to add brandy to the nata montada.Tatoeba #1620012 by wallebot, translation #1619991 by Christophe
- Me encanta la nata montada sobre el chocolate.I love whipped cream on top of the chocolate.
- ¿Podemos poner un poco de nata montada en el café?Can we put a little whipped cream in the coffee?
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are ordering desserts at a café.
- AlejandroLucía, ¿quieres probar el postre de chocolate?Lucía, do you want to try the chocolate dessert?
- LucíaSí, pero prefiero que lleve nata montada.Yes, but I prefer it with whipped cream.
- AlejandroYo también voy a pedirla con nata montada.I am going to order it with whipped cream too.
- LucíaPerfecto, pidamos dos entonces.Perfect, let's order two then.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “whipped cream” translations and entries nata montada, chantillí, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chantillí, crema, nata, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
