Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Green Beans in Spanish: Judías Verdes, Ejotes & More
Judías verdes · noun (feminine, plural) · hoo-DEE-ahs BEHR-dehs
Green beans are one of the vegetables with the most regional names in Spanish. In Spain: judías verdes. Mexico: ejotes. Caribbean: habichuelas. Argentina: chauchas. Chile: porotos verdes.
hoo-DEE-ahs BEHR-dehs (Spain) · eh-HOH-tehs (Mexico)
Compra un kilo de judías verdes para la cena.
Buy a kilo of green beans for dinner.
Green Beans in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for green beans, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| judías verdes | green beans | hoo-DEE-ahs BEHR-dehs | Default, widely understood |
| ejotes | green beans | Mexico, Central America | |
| habichuelas | green beans | Caribbean, Colombia | |
| chauchas | green beans | Argentina | |
| porotos verdes | green beans | Chile |
How Native Speakers Use Judías verdes
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Spain
Las judías verdes con jamón son un plato típico español.
Green beans with ham is a classic Spanish dish.
Judías verdes is the standard term throughout Spain.
Mexico
Agrega los ejotes a la sopa durante los últimos cinco minutos.
Add the green beans to the soup during the last five minutes.
Ejotes is universal in Mexico and most of Central America.
Argentina
Salteé las chauchas con ajo y aceite de oliva.
I sautéed the green beans with garlic and olive oil.
Chauchas is the everyday word in Argentina.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Judías verdes
Using frijoles verdes (literal translation)
Incorrect: Compra frijoles verdes en el mercado.
Correct: Compra ejotes en el mercado. (Mexico) / Compra judías verdes. (Spain)
Frijoles verdes is a literal word-for-word translation that sounds unnatural.
Confusing judías with judías verdes
Incorrect: Quiero judías en la ensalada. (meaning green beans)
Correct: Quiero judías verdes en la ensalada.
Judías without verdes means dried beans in Spain. Add verdes for the green vegetable.
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Why word lists alone don't stick
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See Judías verdes used by native speakers
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Common Questions About Green Beans in Spanish
- How do you say green beans in Spanish?
- Depends on country: judías verdes (Spain), ejotes (Mexico), habichuelas (Caribbean), chauchas (Argentina), porotos verdes (Chile).
- What is the most universally understood term?
- No single term is universal. Judías verdes for Spaniards, ejotes for Mexicans. When in doubt, describe them.
- Are green beans and string beans the same in Spanish?
- Green beans, string beans, snap beans all refer to the same vegetable in whatever regional term applies.