Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Anchovies in Spanish: Anchoas & Boquerones
Anchoas · noun (feminine, plural) · ahn-CHOH-ahs
Anchovies in Spanish is anchoas — typically referring to salt-cured or oil-packed anchovies. In Spain, boquerones specifically means fresh or vinegar-marinated anchovies (white anchovies), creating an important culinary distinction.
ahn-CHOH-ahs (anchoas) · boh-keh-ROH-nehs (boquerones)
Quiero una pizza con anchoas y aceitunas negras.
I want a pizza with anchovies and black olives.
Anchovies in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for anchovies, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| anchoas | anchovies | ahn-CHOH-ahs | Default, widely understood |
| boquerones | anchovies | Spain, fresh/vinegar-marinated | |
| anchovetas | anchovies | South America, smaller species |
How Native Speakers Use Anchoas
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Ordering pizza
No me gustan las anchoas en la pizza, son demasiado saladas.
I don't like anchovies on pizza; they're too salty.
Anchoas on pizza refers to the salt-cured, oil-packed variety.
Spanish tapa
Los boquerones en vinagre son una tapa clásica en Madrid.
Vinegar-marinated anchovies are a classic tapa in Madrid.
Boquerones en vinagre is one of Spain's most iconic tapas dishes.
Cooking ingredient
Añade dos filetes de anchoa a la salsa para darle umami.
Add two anchovy fillets to the sauce to give it umami.
Anchoa in singular refers to one anchovy fillet.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Anchoas
Using anchoas for fresh anchovies in Spain
Incorrect: Pedí anchoas en vinagre. (confusing in Spain)
Correct: Pedí boquerones en vinagre.
In Spain, anchoas are salt-cured and boquerones are fresh/vinegar-marinated. Asking for anchoas en vinagre would confuse a Spanish waiter.
Wrong gender
Incorrect: Los anchoas están en la lata.
Correct: Las anchoas están en la lata.
Anchoa is feminine: la anchoa, las anchoas.
Lock in Anchovies Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Anchoas used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using anchoas in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Quiero una pizza con anchoas y aceitunas negras. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Anchovies in Spanish
- How do you say anchovies in Spanish?
- Anchovies is anchoas (las anchoas) for salt-cured/canned ones. In Spain, fresh or vinegar-marinated anchovies are called boquerones.
- What is the difference between anchoas and boquerones?
- In Spain: anchoas are salt-cured and packed in oil (brown, intense flavor). Boquerones are fresh or marinated in vinegar (white, milder). Outside Spain, this distinction is less common.
- Is anchoa masculine or feminine?
- Anchoa is feminine: la anchoa, las anchoas.