Spanish · Food & Drink
"Pasta" in Spanish: pasta
la pasta
Pasta is la pasta (PAHS-tah). It is feminine: la pasta, un plato de pasta. Spanish kept this Italian loanword for noodles.
Ordering dinner
Para mí, la pasta con salsa roja.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce pasta
Say it
PAHS-tah
/ˈpas.ta/
PAHS-tah. Stress PAHS. Soft s. Final a is open. Same rhythm as English "pasta" but with Spanish vowels.
"Pasta" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| la pasta | pasta Noodles as a dish or ingredient. | Noodles as a dish or ingredient. |
| la pasta al pesto | pasta with pesto Menu flavor. | Menu flavor. |
| la pasta fresca | fresh pasta Not dried from a box. | Not dried from a box. |
| el plato de pasta | a plate of pasta Portion language when ordering. | Portion language when ordering. |
How to use pasta in real life
- 1Ordering dinner
Para mí, la pasta con salsa roja.
For me, the pasta with red sauce.
Salsa roja is tomato sauce on many menus.
- 2Cooking at home
Hierve la pasta ocho minutos.
Boil the pasta for eight minutes.
Package times still guide home cooks.
- 3At a café
¿La pasta lleva queso?
Does the pasta come with cheese?
Useful allergy or preference question.
Mistakes English speakers make with pasta
Incorrect: El pasta está lista.
Correct: La pasta está lista.
Pasta is feminine. Use la pasta and lista.
Incorrect: Comí muchos pastas ayer.
Correct: Comí mucha pasta ayer.
Pasta is usually uncountable like English. Use mucha pasta or un plato de pasta.
Good to know
Italian restaurants across Latin America list pasta the same way Italian menus do—by shape and sauce. Home cooks may say fideos for soup noodles. On a trattoria board, pasta is the safe loanword. Spain uses pasta too.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Choosing a pasta dish
ChatPal
¿Pasta o pizza esta noche?
Pasta or pizza tonight?
You
Pasta con verduras, por favor.
Pasta with vegetables, please.
ChatPal
La pasta sale en diez minutos.
The pasta will be out in ten minutes.
You
Perfecto. Esperamos.
Perfect. We'll wait.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Pasta" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Pasta" in Spanish
Is pasta masculine or feminine?
Feminine: la pasta, pasta caliente, un plato de pasta.
How do you pronounce pasta in Spanish?
PAHS-tah with Spanish vowels and stress on PAHS.
What are fideos?
Thin noodles, often in soup. Pasta is the broader restaurant word.
How do I order pasta with no meat?
Pasta sin carne, por favor. Or pasta vegetariana.
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
Keep reading
- Y in Spanish AlphabetY in spanish alphabet. Learn how y works in the Spanish alphabet, from its names (ye and i griega) to its dual consonant and vowel pronunciation
- How to Practice Speaking Spanish with AI the Smart WayLearn how to practice speaking Spanish with AI using practical routines, realistic scenarios, and feedback loops that actually build real-world fluency.
