Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Chives in Spanish
Cebollino · noun · seh-boh-YEE-noh
Chives translate to cebollino in Spain and general Spanish, cebollín in Mexico and Central America, and ciboulette in the Southern Cone (Argentina, Uruguay). The word derives from cebolla (onion), reflecting the herb's botanical family.
seh-boh-YEE-noh for cebollino; seh-boh-YEEN for cebollín.
Añade cebollino picado encima de la sopa.
Add chopped chives on top of the soup.
Chives in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for chives, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| cebollino | chives | seh-boh-YEE-noh | Default, widely understood |
| cebollín | chives | Mexico, Central America | |
| ciboulette | chives | Argentina, Uruguay — borrowed from French |
How Native Speakers Use Cebollino
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
In a recipe
Espolvorea cebollino fresco sobre las papas al horno.
Sprinkle fresh chives over the baked potatoes.
Cebollino is common in Spanish-language cookbooks and cooking shows.
At a Mexican market
¿Tiene cebollín? Lo necesito para una ensalada.
Do you have chives? I need them for a salad.
Cebollín is what you will hear at tianguis (open-air markets) across Mexico.
Argentine restaurant menu
Salmón con salsa de ciboulette y limón.
Salmon with chive and lemon sauce.
Argentine fine dining and casual restaurants often use the French-derived ciboulette.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Cebollino
Confusing chives with green onions
Incorrect: Necesito cebollines para la sopa. (meaning green onions)
Correct: Necesito cebollinos para la sopa. (meaning chives)
In some regions, cebollín or cebolleta can refer to green onions (scallions) rather than chives. Clarify by specifying the thin, herb-like variety if needed.
Wrong pluralization of ciboulette
Incorrect: Las ciboulettes están frescas.
Correct: La ciboulette está fresca.
In Argentine Spanish, ciboulette is typically treated as an uncountable noun used in the singular, much like the French original.
Lock in Chives 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 Cebollino used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using cebollino in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Añade cebollino picado encima de la sopa. 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 Chives in Spanish
- Are chives and green onions the same thing?
- They are related but distinct plants. Chives (cebollino) are a thin, delicate herb used mainly as a garnish, while green onions or scallions (cebolleta, cebolla de verdeo) are thicker and used as a vegetable in cooking.
- Why does Argentina use a French word?
- Argentina and Uruguay have significant French and Italian culinary influence. Many cooking terms, including ciboulette, were borrowed directly from French and remain standard in those countries.
- Can I grow cebollino at home?
- Yes — chives thrive in pots and gardens in most climates. In Spanish-language gardening guides, you will find them listed as cebollino or cebollín depending on the region.