Spanish · Food & Drink
"Spices" in Spanish: especias
las especias
Spices are las especias (ehs-PEH-syahs), a feminine plural noun. One spice is una especia. Ask for especias for the curry mix or the market jar shelf. Do not confuse especias with especias as "specials"—that English false friend is especialidades on menus.
Market stall
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How to pronounce especias
Say it
ehs-PEH-syahs
/esˈpe.sjas/
ehs-PEH-syahs, stress on PEH. Soft c before i in especias sounds like s in Latin America. Keep especias light and clear.
"Spices" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| las especias | spices Default plural for the spice category. | Default plural for the spice category. |
| una especia | a spice Singular form. | Singular form. |
| especias dulces | sweet spices Cinnamon, clove, and similar baking spices. | Cinnamon, clove, and similar baking spices. |
| sin especias | without spices Useful for mild cooking requests. | Useful for mild cooking requests. |
How to use especias in real life
- 1Market stall
¿Vende especias para mole?
Do you sell spices for mole?
Market ask with especias.
- 2Home cooking
Faltan especias en la sopa.
The soup needs spices.
Kitchen complaint using especias.
- 3Allergy caution
Sin especias fuertes, por favor.
Without strong spices, please.
Softens heat from especias.
Mistakes English speakers make with especias
Incorrect: Los especias están caros.
Correct: Las especias están caras.
Especias is feminine plural. Use las especias and feminine adjectives.
Incorrect: Quiero specials del menú (as especias).
Correct: Quiero las especias.
Especias means spices, not menu specials. For specials say especialidades.
Good to know
Mexican and Andean kitchens lean on especias in blends—mole mixes, adobos, and recados—more than single jars sometimes. Asking for especias still works at a market. In Spain especias is the same word; regional blends differ more than the noun.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Buying spices at a market
ChatPal
¿Qué especias necesitas hoy?
What spices do you need today?
You
Especias para un guiso suave.
Spices for a mild stew.
ChatPal
Estas especias no pican mucho.
These spices are not very hot.
You
Ideal, gracias.
Ideal, 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"Spices" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Spices" in Spanish
What gender are especias?
Feminine plural: las especias. Singular: la especia / una especia.
How do you pronounce especias?
ehs-PEH-syahs. In Latin America the c in especias is an s sound, not English "spesh".
Is especia the same as condimento?
Especias are spices. Condimentos can include sauces and seasonings more broadly.
How do I say "too many spices"?
Demasiadas especias. Or está muy especiado if the dish already tastes overloaded with especias.
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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