Spanish · Food & Drink
"Juice" in Spanish: jugo
el jugo
Note: ES: el zumo
Juice is el jugo (HOO-goh) in Latin America. It is masculine: un jugo de naranja, el jugo natural. In Spain the everyday word is el zumo—same gender, different headword on Peninsular menus.
At breakfast
Un jugo de naranja, por favor.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce jugo
Say it
HOO-goh
/ˈxu.ɣo/
HOO-goh, stress on HOO. Soft Spanish j is like a strong English h (or the ch in German Bach). Do not say "joo-go" with an English j.
"Juice" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| el jugo | juice Default Latin American word. | Default Latin American word. |
| el zumo | juice (Spain) Castilian Spanish; same meaning as jugo. | Castilian Spanish; same meaning as jugo. |
| el jugo de naranja | orange juice Breakfast classic. | Breakfast classic. |
| el jugo natural | fresh juice Not from concentrate; blended or pressed. | Not from concentrate; blended or pressed. |
| el jugo verde | green juice Vegetable-fruit blend on modern café menus. | Vegetable-fruit blend on modern café menus. |
How to use jugo in real life
- 1At breakfast
Un jugo de naranja, por favor.
An orange juice, please.
The flavor usually follows de: jugo de…
- 2At a juice stall
¿El jugo es natural o de caja?
Is the juice fresh or from a carton?
De caja means boxed/packaged.
- 3Sharing an order
Pedimos un jugo grande para dos.
We'll order one large juice for two.
Useful at stalls that sell big blended cups.
Mistakes English speakers make with jugo
Incorrect: Una jugo de manzana.
Correct: Un jugo de manzana.
Jugo is masculine. Use un jugo, el jugo frío.
Incorrect: Quiero un zumo (in Mexico).
Correct: Quiero un jugo.
In Latin America say jugo. Zumo is understood by some, but jugo is the local word; Spain flips that preference.
Good to know
Fresh-blended jugos and licuados are a street-food pillar in Mexico and much of Central America—orange, green, beet, and tropical mixes made to order. Spain labels the same idea zumo on café boards. If you fly from Mexico City to Madrid, switch jugo to zumo on the menu even though both mean juice.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Ordering at a morning juice stall
ChatPal
¿Qué jugo quieres hoy?
What juice do you want today?
You
Un jugo de naranja natural.
A fresh orange juice.
ChatPal
¿El jugo con hielo?
Juice with ice?
You
Sí, el jugo bien frío.
Yes, the juice nice and cold.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Juice" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Juice" in Spanish
Is jugo masculine or feminine?
Masculine: el jugo, un jugo grande, jugo frío.
When do I say zumo instead of jugo?
In Spain. In Latin America use jugo. Both are masculine.
How do you pronounce jugo?
HOO-goh with a raspy h-like j, stress on HOO—not English "joo."
How do I ask for fresh juice?
Jugo natural, por favor. You can add de naranja, de mango, and so on.
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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