Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Coriander in Spanish
Cilantro · noun · see-LAHN-troh
The Spanish word for coriander is 'cilantro,' the same term that English has borrowed to describe the fresh leaves of the plant. In some Caribbean and Central American countries, you may also hear 'culantro,' though that can refer to a different but related herb.
Pronounce it as see-LAHN-troh, with three syllables and the stress on the second. This is likely already familiar to English speakers who use 'cilantro' in cooking.
Agrega cilantro fresco encima de los tacos.
Add fresh coriander on top of the tacos.
coriander in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for coriander, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| cilantro | coriander | see-LAHN-troh | Default, widely understood |
| coriandro | coriander | formal or botanical | |
| culantro | coriander | some Caribbean and Central American regions |
How Native Speakers Use Cilantro
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Cooking Mexican food
El guacamole lleva cilantro, limón y sal.
Guacamole has coriander, lime, and salt.
Listing ingredients for a popular dish.
At the market
Dame un manojo de cilantro, por favor.
Give me a bunch of coriander, please.
Buying herbs at a market stall.
Flavor preference
A mi hermano no le gusta el sabor del cilantro.
My brother doesn't like the taste of coriander.
Discussing food preferences.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Cilantro
Confusing culantro and cilantro
Incorrect: In Mexico, they use culantro in everything.
Correct: In Mexico, they use cilantro in everything.
'Culantro' (Eryngium foetidum) is a different herb with longer, serrated leaves, found mainly in Caribbean cuisine. 'Cilantro' is the standard term in Mexico.
Gender error
Incorrect: La cilantro está fresca.
Correct: El cilantro está fresco.
'Cilantro' is masculine, so it requires 'el' and the masculine adjective 'fresco.'
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See Cilantro used by native speakers
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Common Questions About coriander in Spanish
- Is cilantro the same as coriander?
- In Spanish, 'cilantro' covers both the fresh leaves and the plant itself, while in English, 'cilantro' typically refers to the leaves and 'coriander' to the dried seeds, though they come from the same plant.
- What is the difference between cilantro and culantro?
- Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) has delicate round leaves and is used across Latin America, while culantro (Eryngium foetidum) has long serrated leaves with a stronger flavor and is common in Caribbean cooking.
- How do you say coriander seeds in Spanish?
- Coriander seeds are called 'semillas de cilantro' or 'semillas de coriandro,' and they are used as a spice in many Latin American and Spanish dishes.