How do you say 'broth' in Spanish?

The most common word is caldo, a masculine noun used throughout the Spanish-speaking world for broths made from chicken, beef, vegetables, or bones.

What is the difference between caldo and consomé?

Caldo is the general word for any broth, while consomé refers specifically to a clarified, concentrated broth that is typically served on its own as a starter course.

Can caldo also mean soup?

In some regions, caldo can refer to a complete soup dish (like caldo de res, which includes meat and vegetables), blurring the line between broth and soup depending on context.

Spanish vocabulary · Beginner

Broth in Spanish: Caldo

Written by Sofia Ramirez, Lead Spanish Curriculum Editor · Reviewed May 2026

Caldo · noun · KAHL-doh

Caldo is the primary Spanish word for broth, a savory liquid made by simmering meat, vegetables, or bones in water, widely used in soups and traditional dishes.

KAHL-doh

Mi abuela prepara un caldo de pollo delicioso.

My grandmother makes a delicious chicken broth.

Broth in Spanish: Quick Reference

Below are the most common Spanish words for broth, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.

Spanish	English	Pronunciation	Region / Register
caldo	broth	KAHL-doh	Default, widely understood
consomé	broth		clear, strained broth often served as a starter
caldo de huesos	broth		bone broth specifically

How Native Speakers Use Caldo

Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.

Home cooking

Voy a usar caldo de verduras para la sopa de hoy.

I'm going to use vegetable broth for today's soup.

Choosing a base ingredient while cooking at home.

Ordering at a restaurant

¿Me puede traer un caldo de res bien caliente?

Can you bring me a nice hot beef broth?

Ordering a traditional broth dish at a Mexican restaurant.

Feeling unwell

Cuando estoy enfermo, siempre tomo caldo de pollo.

When I'm sick, I always have chicken broth.

Describing a common home remedy for illness.

Avoid These Mistakes When Using Caldo

Confusing caldo with sopa

Incorrect: Quiero una sopa de pollo sin fideos ni verduras.

Correct: Quiero un caldo de pollo.

Sopa typically refers to a soup with solid ingredients like noodles or vegetables, while caldo refers to the clear broth itself.

Wrong gender

Incorrect: La caldo está lista.

Correct: El caldo está listo.

Caldo is a masculine noun, requiring the article el and the adjective listo (not lista).

Lock in Broth 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 Caldo used by native speakers

Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using caldo in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Mi abuela prepara un caldo de pollo delicioso. 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 Broth in Spanish

How do you say 'broth' in Spanish?: The most common word is caldo, a masculine noun used throughout the Spanish-speaking world for broths made from chicken, beef, vegetables, or bones.
What is the difference between caldo and consomé?: Caldo is the general word for any broth, while consomé refers specifically to a clarified, concentrated broth that is typically served on its own as a starter course.
Can caldo also mean soup?: In some regions, caldo can refer to a complete soup dish (like caldo de res, which includes meat and vegetables), blurring the line between broth and soup depending on context.