yema
/ˈʝema/
The English phrase "yolk" is translated into Spanish as yema.
yema refers to the yellow, nutrient-rich inner part of a bird's egg. Yema is used to refer to the sweet delicacy.
Which one should you use?
While yema refers to the yolk, clara is the word used for the egg white.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, dulce de yema is a common way to refer to yema.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʝema/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, yema does not only refer to the egg yolk but also to the 'bud' of a plant or the 'tip' of a finger, such as yema del dedo.
- The word yema is a doublet of the Spanish word gema, meaning 'gem' or 'jewel'.
- While yema refers to the yolk, the term clara for the egg white literally translates to 'clear'.
Examples in context
- Mi abuela preparó un delicioso dulce de yema.My grandmother made a delicious yolk candy.
- Voy a comprar un poco de dulce de yema en la panadería.I'm going to buy some yolk candy at the bakery.
- En mi país, hacemos el arequipe de yema de una manera especial.In my country, we make yolk spread in a special way.
- Me gusta la yema de huevo cocido.I like the yolk of the boiled egg.
- La yema de este huevo es muy grande.The yolk of this egg is very large.
- No me gusta comer la yema sola.I don't like eating the yolk alone.
- Me encanta el color de la yema.I love the color of the yolk.
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are cooking breakfast in the kitchen.
- Elena¿Quieres que separe la yema de la clara?Do you want me to separate the yolk from the white?
- JavierNo, deja la yema entera en el sartén.No, leave the yolk whole in the pan.
- ElenaEstá bien, la cocinaré con cuidado.Alright, I will cook it carefully.
- JavierGracias, Elena, se ve muy bien.Thanks, Elena, it looks very good.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry yema, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries yema, CC BY-SA 4.0.
