Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Black Pepper in Spanish
Pimienta negra · noun · pee-mee-EHN-tah NEH-grah
The Spanish term for black pepper is 'pimienta negra.' Pimienta refers to pepper as a spice (the ground seasoning), while 'pimiento' refers to the vegetable (bell pepper). This distinction trips up many learners, so remembering that pimienta is the spice and pimiento is the vegetable is crucial.
Pimienta negra is pronounced pee-mee-EHN-tah NEH-grah. Each word has three syllables, with stress on the penultimate syllable of each.
Añade un poco de pimienta negra al final para darle sabor.
Add a little black pepper at the end for flavor.
black pepper in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for black pepper, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| pimienta negra | black pepper | pee-mee-EHN-tah NEH-grah | Default, widely understood |
| pimienta | black pepper | often used alone when black pepper is implied |
How Native Speakers Use Pimienta negra
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Cooking instruction
Sazona la carne con sal y pimienta negra recién molida.
Season the meat with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Standard cooking instruction in Spanish recipes.
At the table
¿Me pasas la pimienta, por favor?
Can you pass me the pepper, please?
When pimienta is used alone, black pepper is usually implied.
Grocery shopping
Compra un frasco de pimienta negra en grano.
Buy a jar of whole black peppercorns.
Specifying the form of black pepper at the store.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Pimienta negra
Pimienta vs. pimiento
Incorrect: Corta el pimienta negra en trozos.
Correct: Muele la pimienta negra.
Pimienta (feminine) is the spice; pimiento (masculine) is the bell pepper vegetable. You grind pimienta but cut pimiento.
Gender agreement
Incorrect: El pimienta negro está en la mesa.
Correct: La pimienta negra está en la mesa.
Pimienta is feminine, so it takes 'la' and the feminine adjective 'negra,' not 'el' and 'negro.'
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See Pimienta negra used by native speakers
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Common Questions About black pepper in Spanish
- What is the difference between pimienta and pimiento?
- Pimienta (feminine) is the spice — ground or whole peppercorns used for seasoning — while pimiento (masculine) is the vegetable, referring to bell peppers or chili peppers.
- Can you just say pimienta without negra?
- In most cooking contexts, saying 'pimienta' alone is understood to mean black pepper, since it is the most common variety, though adding 'negra' removes any ambiguity.
- How do you say 'white pepper' in Spanish?
- White pepper is 'pimienta blanca,' following the same pattern as pimienta negra, with the color adjective placed after the noun.