Spanish · Food & Drink
"Rice" in Spanish: arroz
el arroz
Rice in Spanish is arroz (ah-ROHS). It is a masculine noun, so you say el arroz, and like in English it is uncountable: un poco de arroz means "a little rice". You will meet it as a side at lunch across Latin America, and as the base of dishes like arroz con pollo.
At the market
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How to pronounce arroz
Say it
ah-ROHS
/aˈros/
Stress the second syllable: ah-ROHS. The single r between vowels is a quick tap, not the rolled rr of perro. In Latin America the z sounds like an English s. In much of Spain it sounds like a soft th: ah-ROHTH. Both are correct.
"Rice" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| el arroz | rice The default word for the grain, cooked or uncooked. | The default word for the grain, cooked or uncooked. |
| el arroz blanco | plain white rice The everyday side dish, steamed or boiled, next to beans, chicken, or eggs. | The everyday side dish, steamed or boiled, next to beans, chicken, or eggs. |
| el arroz con pollo | chicken and rice A one-pot dish you will see on menus from Mexico to Peru, with local spice mixes. | A one-pot dish you will see on menus from Mexico to Peru, with local spice mixes. |
| el arroz rojo | red rice Tomato-seasoned rice, a standard side on Mexican plates. | Tomato-seasoned rice, a standard side on Mexican plates. |
How to use arroz in real life
- 1At the market
¿Me da un kilo de arroz, por favor?
Could I have a kilo of rice, please?
Rice is sold by weight. Un kilo de arroz is the usual bag size.
- 2At a family lunch
El arroz blanco va con los frijoles.
The white rice goes with the beans.
Rice and beans are a daily plate in much of Latin America. Spain says judías, not frijoles.
- 3Ordering at a fonda
Para mí, el arroz con pollo.
For me, the chicken and rice.
Para mí is the natural way to point at a dish when the waiter is looking at you.
Mistakes English speakers make with arroz
Incorrect: Quiero una arroz.
Correct: Quiero arroz. / Quiero un poco de arroz.
Arroz is masculine and uncountable. Don't use una, and don't add un unless you mean a portion: un plato de arroz.
Incorrect: Compré los arroces.
Correct: Compré el arroz.
Like English "rice", arroz stays singular. Arroces only appears when you compare different kinds of rice.
Good to know
Rice is a weekday side, not a special-occasion food, across Latin America. In Mexico it often arrives as arroz rojo next to beans. Along the Caribbean coast, arroz con pollo is a celebration dish as much as a Tuesday lunch. In Spain the famous rice dish is paella, cooked in a wide pan; these pages use Latin American words, and paella is the Castilian classic to recognize on a menu.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Ordering lunch at a fonda
ChatPal
Hoy el plato del día es arroz con pollo.
Today's special is chicken and rice.
You
¿El arroz viene con frijoles?
Does the rice come with beans?
ChatPal
Sí, arroz, frijoles y una ensalada.
Yes, rice, beans, and a salad.
You
Perfecto, eso pido.
Perfect, I'll have that.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Rice" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Rice" in Spanish
Is arroz masculine or feminine?
Arroz is masculine: el arroz. For "some rice", say un poco de arroz or algo de arroz. A serving is un plato de arroz.
How do you pronounce the z in arroz?
In Latin America, z sounds like s, so arroz rhymes with English "gross" without the g. In most of Spain the z is a soft th. These pages teach the Latin American sound.
What is the difference between arroz and paella?
Arroz is the grain. Paella is one Spanish dish: short-grain rice cooked in a wide pan with saffron, meat, or seafood. In Latin America you are more likely to see arroz con pollo or plain arroz blanco.
How do you say brown rice in Spanish?
Brown rice is arroz integral. Integral means wholegrain, so you will see the same word on bread: pan integral.
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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