Tapas Translations Guide
Below is a list of Food and Drink in alphabetical order. Spanish to English Translations with a few extra bits and bobs.
A
Acelgas – Wild Spinach
Agrio – Sour
Aguacate – Avocado
Ahumado – Smoked
Ajo – Garlic – or Ajillo – Garlic sauce
Albóndigas – Meatballs
Alcachofas – Artichokes
Alga – Seaweed
Alioli – Garlic mayonnaise
Almejas – Clams
Almendra – Almond
Alubias – White beans
Anchoas – Anchovies
Angulas – baby-eels
Apio – Celery
Arroz – Rice
Atún – Tuna
Avellanas – Hazelnuts
Avena – Oats
Aves – Poultry
Avestruz – Ostrich
Azúcar – Sugar
B
Bacaladilla – Blue whiting (Fish)
Bacalao – (salt) Cod
Banderillas – snacks
Barbo de Mar – Red Mullet
Barra – Loaf of Bread, baguette
Beicon – Bacon
Bellota – Acorn
Berberecho – Cockle
Berenjena – Aubergine
Besugo – Sea Bream
Bígaro – Winkle
Bizcocho – Sponge cake
Bocadillo – Baguette
Bocata – Sandwich
Bogavante – Lobster Black / Green
Bollo – Bread Roll
Bombón – Sweet
Boniato – Sweet Potato
Bonito – Striped tunny (Tuna)
Boquerones – Whitebait
Brazo de Gitano – Swiss Roll
Buey – Ox or Beef
C
Cabeza – Head
Cabra / Cabrito – Goat / Kid
Cacahuetes – Peanuts
Café con leche – White coffee
Café cortado – Strong coffee
Café descafeinado –Decaffeinated coffee
Café expreso – Espresso coffee
Café Solo – Black coffee
Café soluble – Instant coffee
Calabacín – Courgettes
Calabaza – Pumpkin
Calamares – Squid
Caldo – Stock
Caliente – Hot (temperature)
Callos – Tripe
Camarero/a – Waiter / Waitress
Canela – Cinnamon
Canelones – Cannelloni
Cangrejo – Crab
Caracoles – Snails
Caracol de mar – Periwinkle
Carajillo – Coffee with brandy
Carne en salsa – Meat in sauce
Carne picada – Mince meat
Carta – Menu
Cáscara – Shell
Caserola – Casserole / Homemade stew
Castaña – Chestnuts
Cava – Champagne
Caza – Game / hunt
Cazón – Dogfish
Cazuela – Stew / casserole dish
Cebolla – Onion
Cena – Supper
Cerdo – Pork
Cereza – Cherry
Cerveza – Beer
Champiñón – Mushroom
Charcutería – Delicatessen
Chipirón – Small squid
Chirivía – Parsnip
Chirla – Small clam
Choco – Cuttlefish
Chopa – Bream
Chorizo – Spicy sausage
Chuleta – Chops
Chumbo – Prickly pear
Chupito – Shot (drink)
Churros – Doughnut or fritter
Cidra – Cider
Cigala – Crayfish
Ciruela – Plums
Coco – Coconut
Coctel de frutas – Fruit cocktail
Codillo – shoulder (pork)
Codorniz – Quail
Col – Cabbage
Coles de Bruselas – Brussel Sprouts
Coliflor – Cauliflower
Comida – Food
Conejo – Rabbit
Corazón – Heart
Corcho – Cork
Cordero – Lamb
Costilla – Ribs
Cuchara – Spoon
Crudo – Raw
Cuchillo – Knife
D
Dátiles – Dates
Desayuno – Breakfast
Diente de Ajo – Clove of garlic
Doble – Double
Dorado – Gilt-head bream
Dulce – Sweet
Dulce de Membrillo – Quince jelly
Duro – Hard
E
Embutidos – Various types of sausage
Empanadas – savoury pasties
Empapado – Soaked
Eneldo – Dill
Ensalada (mixta) – Salad (mixed)
Entrada – Starter
Entrecote – Fillet of Steak
Entremeses – Appetisers
Espagueti – Spaghetti
Espárragos – Asparagus
Especialidades – (House) Specialities
Espina – Fish bone
Espinaca – Spinach
Espumoso – Sparkling / Fizzy
Estilo – Style
Estofado – Stew
Estragón – Tarragon
Exprimido – Squeezed
F
Faisán – Pheasant
Falda – Flank (meat)
Fiambre – Cold meats
Fideos – Noodles
Filete – Fillet (meat or fish)
Filetito – Small fillet
Fino – Sherry or fine (cut)
Flan (de caramelo) – Caramel pudding (custard)
Foie-gras – Pâté
Frambuesa – Raspberry
Fresa (Freson) – Strawberry (big strawberry)
Fresco – Fresh
Frio – Cold
Frito – Fried
Fruta – Fruit
Fuerte – Strong
Fuet – Sausage / salami
Fundido – Melted
G
Galletas – Biscuits
Gallina – Hen
Gallo – Type of Brill (or Cockerel / Rooster)
Gambas – Prawns
Ganso – Goose (wild)
Garbanzo – Chickpea
Garrafa – Carafe
Gazpacho – Cold Soup (only served in Summer)
Gelatina – Jelly
Ginebra – Gin
Girasol – Sunflower
Gordo – Fat (size)
Granadina – Grenadine
Granizado – Iced drink (Slush puppy)
Grano de pimiento – peppercorn
Grasa – Fat (lard / oil)
Gratinado – Grilled cheese
Guarnición – Garnish
Guindilla – small very hot chili
Guisado / Guiso – Stew / casserole
Guisantes – Peas
H
Habas – Board bean
Habichuela – Green bean
Hamburguesa – Hamburger
Harina – Flour
Harina de Maiz – Cornflour
Helado – Ice-cream
Hervido – Boiled
Hervido a fuego lento – Simmered
Hierba Buena – Mint
Hierbas – Herbs
Hierbas Finas – Fine Herbs
Hígado – Liver
Higo – Fig
Higo Chumbo – Prickly Pear
Hinojo – Fennel
Hojaldre – Puff pastry
Horneado – Baked/Roasted
Horno – Oven
Hortalizas – vegetables
Hueso – Bone
Huevo – Egg
I
Infusión – Herbal Tea
Ibérico – Iberian
Ingrediente – Ingredient
J
Jabalí – Wild Boar
Jabugo – Andalusian ham
Jalapeño – Very hot chilli
Jamón (cocido/de york) Boiled Ham
Jamón Ibérico de Bellota – Cured ham (from pigs fed on acorns – the best)
Jamón Serrano – Cured ham
Jarabe – Syrup
Jarra – Jug
Jengibre – Ginger
Jerez – Sherry
Jerez amontillado – Dark sherry
Jerez fino – Pale, dry sherry
Jerez oloroso – Sweet sherry
Jibia – Cuttlefish
Jijona – Type of nougat
Judía escarlata – Runner bean
Judía blanca – Haricot bean
Judía del barco – Butter beans
Judía pintas – Kidney beans
Judía verde – Green beans
Jugoso – Juicy
Jurel – Mackerel
L
Laminas – Slices
Langosta – Lobster
Langostino – Crayfish
Laurel – Bay Leaf
Lechal – Milk fed
Lechazo – Lamb
Leche – Milk
Leche Batido – Milkshake
Leches infantiles – Baby milk
Lechona – Young sow
Lechón – Suckling pig
Lechuga – Lettuce
Legumbres – Vegetables
Legumbres secas – Pulses, legumes
Lengua – Tongue
Lenguado – Sole
Lentejas – Lentils
Levadura – Yeast
Licor – Liqueur
Liebre – Hare
Lima – Lime
Limón – Lemon
Limonada – Lemonade
Lisa – Grey Mullet
Lomo – Pork (loin)
Loncha fina – Thin slice
Lubina – Sea bass
Lucio – Pike
M
Macarrones – Macaroni pasta
Macedonia de Frutas – Fruit cocktail
Macis – Mace
Magdalenas – Fairy cakes
Magro – Lean
Mahonesa – Mayonnaise
Maíz – Sweet Corn
Manchego – Strong matured cheese
Mandarina – Tangerine
Manteca / Margarina – Margarine
Mantequilla – Butter
Manzana – Apple
Mariscos – Seafood / Shellfish
Mazapán – Marzipan
Media botella – Half bottle
Media Racion – Half portion
Mediana – Medium
Mejillones – Mussels
Mejorana – Marjoram
Melocotón – Peach
Melón – Melon
Melva – Mackerel
Membrillo – Quince
Menta – Mint
Merengue – Meringue
Merluza – Hake
Mermelada – Jam/Marmalade
Mero – Halibut
Miel – Honey
Migas – Breadcrumbs
Milhojas – Cream slice cake
Mixta – Mixed
Mojama – Salt-cured dried tuna
Mollete – Soft bread roll
Montadito – Bread roll with filling
Montilla- Type of Sherry
Moras – Blackberries
Morcilla – Black/White pudding
Morcón – Black pudding with rice
Morena – Moray eel
Moscatel – Sweet Malaga grape
Mostaza – Mustard
Mosto – Grape juice
Muslo de Pollo – Chicken leg
Muy Seco – Very dry
N
Nabo – Turnip
Naranja – Orange
Naranjada – Orangeade
Nata – Cream
Natilla – Custard
Natural – Plain
Navajas – Razor clams
Nécora – Spiny Crab
Nido – Nest
Nueces variadas – Assorted nuts
Nuez moscada – Nutmeg
O
Oloroso – Type of Sherry
Oporto – Port
Ortigas – Nettles
Orujo – Eau de vie (similar)
Ostra – Oyster
P
Paella – Special rice dish
Pajita – Straw
Paleta – Cook pork shoulder
Palillos – Toothpicks
Palmito – Palm heart
Paloma – Squab, pigeon, dove
Palomitas – Popcorn
Pan – Bread
Pan de Bizcocho – Sponge cake
Pan dulce – Sweet bread
Pan rallado – Bread Crumbs
Pan tostado – Toast
Panceta – Streaky bacon (belly pork)
Papas – Potatoes
Papilla – Baby cereal
Parilla – Grill
Parrillada – Mixed grill
Pasas – Raisins
Pasa de esmiena – Sultana
Pasteles – Cakes
Patas – Trotters
Patatas – Potatoes
Patatas al horno – Baked potatoes
Pato – Duck
Pavo – Turkey
Pechuga – Breast (chicken)
Pelado – Peeled
Pepinillos – Gherkins
Pepino – Cucumber
Pepita – Seed
Pera – Pear
Perca – Perch
Perdiz – Partridge
Perejil – Parsley
Pescaditos fritos – Fried whitebait
Pescado – Fish
Petisus – Chocolate Eclair
Pez – Fish
Pez espada – Swordfish
Picante – Hot (spicy)
Picota – Cherry
Pierna – Leg
Pil Pil – Garlic spicy sauce
Pimentón – Pepper
Piña – Pineapple
Pinchitos – Shish Kebab skewered
Piñón – Pine nut
Pinzas – Pincers
Pipa – Sunflower seed
Pisto – Vegetable stew
Planta – Hot plate
Plátano – Banana
Plato del día – Plate of the day
Platos Combinados – Set meal
Poco hecho – Rare
Pollo – Chicken
Polvorones – Christmas cakes
Porción – Portion / Slice
Postre – Dessert
Potaje – Stew / Hotpot
Primavera – Spring
Puchero – Stew / Casserole
Puerro – Leek
Pulpo – Octopus
Puntillitas – Baby squid
Puré – Puree
Q
Quemado – Burnt
Queso – Cheese
Queso fundido – melted
Ahumado – smoked
Blanco – White
Cremoso – Full Fat
Cabra / Oveja – Goat / Sheep
Rallado – Grated
Requesón – Cottage
Quico – Toasted salted corn
Quisquillas – Small shrimps
R
Rabadilla de buey – Rump steak
Rábano – Radish
Rallado – Grated / Shredded
Rana – Frog
Rape – Angler fish / Monkfish
Rebozada – Bread Crumbs / deep fried
Recomendamos – we recommend
Redondo – round
Refresco – Soft drink
Regular – Normal / medium
Relleno – Stuffing / Filling
Remojo – Soak
Remojón – Orange Salad
Remolacha – Beetroot
Reserva – Aged wine
Revuelto – Scrambled
Riñones – Kidneys
Riojana – Sweet pepper sauce
Róbalo – Sea Bass
Rodaballo – Turbot
Rodaja – Slice
Rollo de Primavera – Spring roll
Romana – Breaded & fried
Romero – Rosemary
Romesco – Sweet / hot peppers
Ron – Rum
Rosada – Catfish / wolf fish
Rosado – Rosé
Roscas – Large ring-shaped roll
Roscos – Doughnuts
Rosquilla – doughnut / biscuit
Ruibarbo – Rhubarb
S
Sabroso – Tasty / savoury
Sacacorchos – Corkscrew
Sal – Salt
Salado – Salty
Salchichas – Sausages
Salchichón – Salami / cured sausage
Salmón – Salmon
Salmonete – Red Mullet
Salmorejo – Tapa of Peppers, onions, tomatoes etc
Salmuera – Brine
Salón de Té – Tearoom
Salpicado – Peppered with / sprinkled with
Salpicón de Mariscos – Seafood cocktail
Salsa – Sauce
en salsa – Braised in sauce
a la marinera – a fish sauce
salsa boloñesa – bolognaise
etc…
Salteado – Sautéed
Salvado – Bran
Salvia – Sage
Sandía – Watermelon
Sándwich mixto – Ham & Cheese Toasty
Sangre – Blood
Sangría – Fruit Punch
Sarda – Mackerel
Sardina – Sardines
Sardina pequeña – Sprats
Sargo – Bream
Sebo – Suet
Seco – Dry / dried
Semillas – Seeds
Sémola – Semolina
Sepia – Cuttlefish
Serrano – Mountain style
Servicio – Service
Servilleta – Serviette
Sesos – Brains
Seta – Wild Mushroom
Sevillana – cooked with olives
Sidra – Cider
Sin sal – without salt
Sobrasada – Chorizo lard
Soja – Soya
Solomillo – best cut of meat
Sopa – Soup
Sorbete – Sorbet
Suave – Soft / Mild
Suela – Sole
Suplemento sobre – Extra
Surtido – Mixture
T
Tabla – Plate of assorted cold meats
Tajada – Sliver
Tallarines – Tagliatelle / noodles
Tamarindo – Tamarind
Tapas – A variety of small snacks
Tarta – Cake
Tartaletas – flan-based snacks
Tasca – Beach bar
Taza – Cup
Té – Tea
Tenedor – Fork
Ternera – Veal
Tibia de angulas – Baby eels
Tiburón – Shark
Tierno – Tender
Tinto – Red (wine)
Tinto de Verano – Summer Wine (Spritzer)
Tocino – Salt pork / bacon
Tocino de cielo – Caramel custard flan
Tomate – Tomato
Tomillo – Thyme
Tónica – Tonic water
Torcaz – Wood pigeon
Torta – Cake / flat bread
Torta de avena – Oatcake
Tortilla – Omelette
Tórtola – Turtle dove
Tortuga – Turtle
Tostada – Toast
Tostado – Toasted / Roasted
Trigo – Wheat
Tripa – Tripe
Troceados – Chunks / Pieces
Trozo – A piece / slice
Trucha – Trout
Trufas – Truffles
Tubo – Glass of beer
Turrón – Sweet variety of candy bars
U
Urta – Fish similar to red bream
Uva pasa – raisin
Uvas – grapes
V
Vaca – Cow / beef
Vainilla – Vanilla
Vapor – Steam
Variados – Mixed
Vasca – Basque sauce
Vaso – Glass
Vegetariano/a – Vegetarian
Venado – Venison
Veneras – Scallops
Ventresca – loin / belly (fish)
Verano – Summer
Verduras – Vegetables
Vermut – Vermouth
Vinagre – Vinegar
Vino – Wine
Vino añejo – Vintage wine
Vino blanco – White wine
Vino de aguja – Slightly sparkling wine
Vino de la casa – House wine
Vino de mesa – Table wine
Vino espumoso – Sparkling wine
Vino Reserva, Crianza y Tempranillo – Reserved, aging & young
Vino de postre – Dessert wine
Vino rosado – Rosé wine
Vino seco – Dry wine
Vino tinto – Red wine
Vodka – Vodka
W
Whisky americano – Bourbon
Whisky escocés – Scotch
Y
Yema – Egg yolk
Yogur – Yoghurt
Z
Zanahoria – Carrot
Zarzamora – Blackberry
Zumo – Juice
