calabacín
/kalabaˈθin/
The English phrase zucchini is translated into Spanish as calabacín.
calabacín refers to the long green summer squash used as a vegetable in cooking.
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between calabacín, which refers specifically to the long green summer squash and calabaza, which is a broader term used for pumpkins and other types of squash.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the diminutive form calabacita is frequently used to refer to the vegetable.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of calabacín is calabacines.
How do you pronounce it?
/kalabaˈθin/
Did you know?
- In certain dialects, saying someone 'gave you a calabaza' is a common idiom meaning they have rejected your romantic advances or broken up with you.
- In Spanish culinary traditions, calabacín is often paired with flor de calabacín, the squash blossoms, which are considered a high-end delicacy in many regions.
- The word calabaza has a long history rooted in the Old Spanish form calabaça, which likely traces back to Vulgar Latin.
Examples in context
- ¿A ti te gusta el calabacín?Do you like zucchini?This sentence is useful for asking someone's preference regarding the vegetable calabacín.Tatoeba #9150696 by rafaeldejesus8199, translation #9150697 by rafaeldejesus8199
- Hoy preparé una deliciosa sopa de calabacín para la cena. ¡Es mi favorita!Today, I made a delicious zucchini soup for dinner. It's my favorite!
- ¿Me pasas la calabacita, por favor? Quiero agregarla a la ensalada.Could you pass me the zucchini, please? I want to add it to the salad.
- En verano, se pueden encontrar zucchinis frescos en el mercado local.In summer, you can find fresh zucchinis at the local market.
- Mi abuela hace un pastel de calabacín que es una verdadera delicia.My grandmother makes a zucchini cake that is a real delight.
- ¿Has probado los zapallitos italianos rellenos? Son realmente sabrosos.Have you tried stuffed Italian zucchinis? They are really tasty.
- Compré un calabacín muy grande.I bought a very large zucchini.
- El calabacín es bueno para la ensalada.Zucchini is good for the salad.
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are at the grocery store.
- Sofía¿Necesitas un calabacín para la cena?Do you need a zucchini for dinner?
- DanielSí, por favor, busca uno verde.Yes, please, look for a green one.
- SofíaEste calabacín parece muy fresco.This zucchini looks very fresh.
- DanielPerfecto, ponlo en el carrito.Perfect, put it in the cart.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry calabacín, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries calabacín, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
