Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Clove in Spanish: Clavo De Olor
Clavo De Olor · noun · KLAH-boh deh oh-LOHR
Clavo de olor is the Spanish term for clove, the aromatic dried flower bud used as a spice in cooking and traditional medicine. The full phrase means 'nail of scent,' because the dried bud resembles a small nail (clavo). In recipes, it is often shortened to simply 'clavo' when the cooking context makes the spice meaning obvious.
KLAH-boh deh oh-LOHR
Añade dos clavos de olor al arroz con leche.
Add two cloves to the rice pudding.
Clove in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for clove, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| clavo de olor | clove | KLAH-boh deh oh-LOHR | Default, widely understood |
| clavo | clove | shortened form in cooking |
How Native Speakers Use Clavo De Olor
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Baking recipe
La receta de galletas lleva canela, nuez moscada y clavo de olor.
The cookie recipe calls for cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove.
Following a baking recipe.
Hot beverage
El ponche navideño se prepara con frutas y clavos de olor.
Christmas punch is prepared with fruits and cloves.
Making a traditional holiday drink.
Home remedy
Mi abuela usaba aceite de clavo para el dolor de muelas.
My grandmother used clove oil for toothaches.
Traditional pain remedy.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Clavo De Olor
Confusing with nail
Incorrect: Necesito comprar clavos para el postre — heading to a hardware store.
Correct: Necesito comprar clavos de olor para el postre.
Clavo alone means nail (the metal fastener). Without 'de olor,' someone might think you need hardware nails. In cooking contexts, adding 'de olor' removes any ambiguity.
Confusing clove with garlic clove
Incorrect: Añade tres clavos de olor de ajo a la salsa.
Correct: Añade tres dientes de ajo a la salsa.
A clove of garlic is 'un diente de ajo' (a tooth of garlic) in Spanish, not a 'clavo.' These are completely different terms despite both using 'clove' in English.
Lock in Clove Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
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See Clavo De Olor used by native speakers
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Common Questions About Clove in Spanish
- Why is clove called clavo de olor?
- The dried clove bud physically resembles a small nail, and 'clavo' is the Spanish word for nail. Adding 'de olor' (of scent/fragrance) distinguishes the aromatic spice from the metal fastener. This naming convention reflects how Spanish often uses descriptive phrases for spices.
- How do I say a clove of garlic in Spanish?
- A clove of garlic is 'un diente de ajo' in Spanish — literally 'a tooth of garlic.' This is completely unrelated to 'clavo de olor' (the spice clove). The English word 'clove' is coincidentally used for both, but Spanish uses distinct words.
- Is clavo de olor used in Latin American cooking?
- Clavo de olor is widely used throughout Latin American cuisine, especially in holiday drinks like ponche, in Mexican mole sauces, and in desserts such as arroz con leche. It is also common in Caribbean and Central American spice blends for meats.