Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Bok Choy in Spanish: Bok Choy
Bok choy · noun · bohk-CHOY
The vegetable 'bok choy' is often kept as 'bok choy' in Spanish, especially in Latin America, since it is a loanword from Chinese. In Spain, it may also be called 'col china' (Chinese cabbage) or 'pak choi,' an alternate romanization found on product labels and recipes.
bohk-CHOY
Añadí bok choy al salteado de verduras para darle un toque asiático.
I added bok choy to the vegetable stir-fry for an Asian touch.
Bok Choy in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for bok choy, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| bok choy | bok choy | bohk-CHOY | Default, widely understood |
| col china | bok choy | Spain and some Latin American countries | |
| pak choi | bok choy | alternate romanization used in Spain |
How Native Speakers Use Bok choy
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Recipe
La receta pide doscientos gramos de col china cortada en tiras.
The recipe calls for two hundred grams of bok choy cut into strips.
Uses the Spanish-adapted name found in cookbooks from Spain.
Supermarket
¿Tienen bok choy fresco en la sección de verduras?
Do you have fresh bok choy in the vegetable section?
A shopper asking for the ingredient at a grocery store.
Nutrition
El pak choi es rico en vitamina C y bajo en calorías.
Bok choy is rich in vitamin C and low in calories.
Highlights nutritional benefits using the European spelling variant.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Bok choy
Wrong Cabbage Term
Incorrect: Quiero comprar repollo chino. (expecting bok choy)
Correct: Quiero comprar bok choy / col china.
'Repollo chino' often refers to napa cabbage rather than bok choy; using 'col china' or the direct loanword avoids getting the wrong vegetable.
Gender Assignment
Incorrect: El col china está fresca.
Correct: La col china está fresca.
'Col' is a feminine noun in Spanish, so it requires the feminine article 'la' and feminine adjectives.
Lock in Bok Choy 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 Bok choy used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using bok choy in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Añadí bok choy al salteado de verduras para darle un toque asiático. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Bok Choy in Spanish
- Is 'bok choy' widely understood in Spanish-speaking countries?
- In major cities with Asian supermarkets and diverse food scenes, 'bok choy' is increasingly recognized. However, in rural areas or regions without Asian cuisine influence, you may need to describe it as 'una verdura de hoja verde parecida a la acelga' (a green leafy vegetable similar to chard).
- What is the difference between 'col china' and 'repollo chino'?
- 'Col china' typically refers to bok choy with its distinctive white stalks and dark green leaves. 'Repollo chino' more commonly designates napa cabbage, which has a lighter, elongated head. Keeping these distinctions clear prevents confusion at markets.
- How do I ask for bok choy at a market in Mexico?
- In Mexican markets, using the English loanword 'bok choy' is your best bet, especially at specialty or Asian grocery stores. At traditional markets, describing it as 'la verdura verde con tallo blanco que se usa en comida asiática' helps vendors identify what you need.