Spanish · Food & Drink
"Vegetable" in Spanish: verdura
la verdura
Vegetables are la verdura (behr-DOO-rah), often heard in the plural: las verduras. It is feminine: la verdura fresca. Vegetales also appears on labels and menus, with the same meaning in everyday talk.
At the market
Busco verdura para una sopa.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce verdura
Say it
behr-DOO-rah
/beɾˈdu.ɾa/
behr-DOO-rah, stress on DOO. Soft b/v at the start—lips barely touch. Each vowel is clear: ver-du-ra.
"Vegetable" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| la verdura | vegetable; greens Everyday word; often plural las verduras. | Everyday word; often plural las verduras. |
| las verduras | vegetables Market bags and side dishes. | Market bags and side dishes. |
| los vegetales | vegetables Also common on packaging and health talk. | Also common on packaging and health talk. |
| la sopa de verduras | vegetable soup A light meal or starter. | A light meal or starter. |
| sin verdura | without vegetables Customizing a plate. | Customizing a plate. |
How to use verdura in real life
- 1At the market
Busco verdura para una sopa.
I'm looking for vegetables for a soup.
Verdura as a mass noun works when you mean mixed produce.
- 2Ordering a side
¿La verdura viene al vapor?
Do the vegetables come steamed?
Al vapor means steamed.
- 3Cooking plans
Lavo las verduras antes de cortarlas.
I wash the vegetables before cutting them.
Plural verduras is natural for several kinds.
Mistakes English speakers make with verdura
Incorrect: El verdura está fresca.
Correct: La verdura está fresca.
Verdura is feminine. Use la verdura, unas verduras.
Incorrect: Compro vegetables en el mercado.
Correct: Compro verduras en el mercado.
Use verduras (or vegetales). English vegetables does not belong in the Spanish sentence.
Good to know
Neighborhood markets sell verduras by the kilo—tomatillos, chayote, leafy greens—beside fruit stalls. A comida corrida plate often includes a small verdura side next to rice and beans. Vegetales sounds a bit more packaged or nutritional; verdura is the warmer market word.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Choosing sides for a set lunch
ChatPal
El plato incluye arroz y verdura.
The plate includes rice and vegetables.
You
¿Puedo pedir más verdura?
Can I ask for more vegetables?
ChatPal
Claro. Hoy la verdura es calabaza.
Sure. Today the vegetable is squash.
You
Perfecto, me gusta esa verdura.
Perfect, I like that vegetable.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Vegetable" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Vegetable" in Spanish
Is verdura masculine or feminine?
Feminine: la verdura, las verduras frescas.
Should I say verdura or vegetales?
Both are understood. Verdura/verduras feels everyday at markets; vegetales is common on labels.
Is verdura only green vegetables?
No. It covers vegetables in general, not only leafy greens, though the root verde means green.
How do you pronounce verdura?
behr-DOO-rah with stress on DOO. Soften the opening b/v.
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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