Spanish · Food & Drink
"Cake" in Spanish: pastel
el pastel
Note: also: la torta
Cake is el pastel (pahs-TEL), a masculine noun. Many places also say la torta for cake. For a slice, ask for un pedazo de pastel.
Birthday party
El pastel de cumpleaños está listo.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce pastel
Say it
pahs-TEL
/pasˈtel/
Two syllables: pahs-TEL. Stress TEL. Clear s in pastel; not English paste.
"Cake" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| el pastel | cake Default in much of Latin America. | Default in much of Latin America. |
| la torta | cake (also sandwich in Mexico) Cake in many countries; in Mexico torta is often a sandwich—check context. | Cake in many countries; in Mexico torta is often a sandwich—check context. |
| el pastel de cumpleaños | birthday cake Parties and bakery orders. | Parties and bakery orders. |
| un pedazo de pastel | a piece of cake Ordering a slice. | Ordering a slice. |
How to use pastel in real life
- 1Birthday party
El pastel de cumpleaños está listo.
The birthday cake is ready.
Pastel de cumpleaños is the clear party phrase.
- 2At a bakery
Quiero un pedazo de pastel de chocolate.
I want a piece of chocolate cake.
Name the flavor after pastel.
- 3Sharing dessert
¿Probamos el pastel juntos?
Shall we try the cake together?
El pastel works for one whole cake or the dessert on the table.
Mistakes English speakers make with pastel
Incorrect: La pastel está dulce.
Correct: El pastel está dulce.
Pastel is masculine. Say el pastel, un pastel, este pastel.
Incorrect: Compré un cake grande.
Correct: Compré un pastel grande.
Use pastel, not English cake. Torta may mean cake too; pastel is safer here.
Good to know
In Mexico a torta is usually a sandwich, so birthday cake is safer as pastel. Elsewhere torta and pastel both mean cake. Ask for relleno if your pastel needs filling.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Ordering cake at a panadería
ChatPal
¿Quieres pastel de vainilla o de chocolate?
Do you want vanilla or chocolate cake?
You
Chocolate. Un pastel pequeño, por favor.
Chocolate. A small cake, please.
ChatPal
¿Con velas?
With candles?
You
Sí, gracias.
Yes, thanks.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Cake" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Cake" in Spanish
Is pastel masculine or feminine?
Masculine: el pastel, un pastel fresco. Pastelería (bakery shop) is feminine.
When do people say torta?
In many countries torta means cake. In Mexico, torta is often a sandwich—use pastel there.
How do I order a slice?
Un pedazo de pastel or una rebanada de pastel.
Does pastel mean savory pie too?
Sometimes, as in pastel de papa. Menu context makes pastel clear.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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