Spanish · Food & Drink
"Beans" in Spanish: frijoles
los frijoles
Note: Caribbean: las habichuelas; ES: las judías
Beans are los frijoles (free-HOH-lehs), masculine plural. One bean is un frijol, but menus usually say frijoles. Caribbean Spanish may say habichuelas; Spain says judías.
Ordering a plate
¿Los tacos llevan frijoles?Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce frijoles
Say it
free-HOH-lehs
/fɾiˈxo.les/
Three syllables: free-HOH-lehs. Stress HOH in frijoles. Strong h for j.
"Beans" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| los frijoles | beans Default in Mexico and much of Central America. | Default in Mexico and much of Central America. |
| los frijoles refritos | refried beans A classic side dish. | A classic side dish. |
| las habichuelas | beans (Caribbean) Common in the Caribbean. | Common in the Caribbean. |
| las judías | beans (Spain) Castilian label; note ES difference. | Castilian label; note ES difference. |
How to use frijoles in real life
- 1Ordering a plate
¿Los tacos llevan frijoles?
Do the tacos come with beans?
Frijoles is the side many plates assume.
- 2At home
Caliento los frijoles para la cena.
I'm heating the beans for dinner.
Los frijoles often means cooked beans ready to eat.
- 3At a fonda
Para mí, arroz con frijoles.
For me, rice and beans.
Arroz con frijoles is a daily pairing.
Mistakes English speakers make with frijoles
Incorrect: Las frijoles están listos.
Correct: Los frijoles están listos.
Frijoles is masculine plural: los frijoles, unos frijoles.
Incorrect: Quiero beans con arroz.
Correct: Quiero frijoles con arroz.
Say frijoles, not English beans.
Good to know
Frijoles with rice are a daily base across Mexico and Central America. Refried frijoles appear at breakfast too. Habichuelas and judías name the same food as frijoles.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Building a simple comida plate
ChatPal
¿Quieres frijoles refritos o de la olla?
Do you want refried beans or pot beans?
You
De la olla. Unos frijoles con queso.
Pot beans. Some beans with cheese.
ChatPal
¿Con tortillas?
With tortillas?
You
Sí, por favor.
Yes, please.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Beans" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Beans" in Spanish
Are frijoles masculine or feminine?
Masculine plural: los frijoles. Singular un frijol is masculine too.
Why does the page use frijoles not frijol?
Food talk almost always uses plural frijoles.
What about habichuelas or judías?
Habichuelas is Caribbean; judías is Spain. Frijoles is the Latin American default.
How do I say refried beans?
Frijoles refritos.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
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- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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