Is halibut commonly eaten in Spanish-speaking countries?

Halibut is more common in Spain, particularly in the northern Atlantic coast, while Latin American countries tend to favor local fish varieties such as corvina or robalo.

What is the plural of fletán?

The plural form is 'fletanes,' adding '-es' to the end because the word ends in a consonant, following standard Spanish pluralization rules.

How do I say 'halibut steak' in Spanish?

A halibut steak is called 'filete de fletán' or 'rodaja de fletán,' with 'filete' referring to a boneless cut and 'rodaja' to a cross-cut slice.

Spanish vocabulary · Beginner

How to Say Halibut in Spanish: Fletán

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

Fletán · noun (masculine) · fleh-TAHN

The Spanish word for halibut is 'fletán,' a masculine noun referring to the large, flat-bodied fish found in cold Atlantic and Pacific waters. Halibut is prized for its mild flavor and firm white flesh. In some Latin American fish markets, the English loanword 'halibut' may be used directly.

Pronounce it fleh-TAHN, with the stress on the final syllable. The accent mark on the 'a' signals the stress placement.

El fletán a la plancha es uno de los platos más populares del restaurante.

Grilled halibut is one of the most popular dishes at the restaurant.

Halibut in Spanish: Quick Reference

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

Spanish	English	Pronunciation	Region / Register
fletán	halibut	fleh-TAHN	Default, widely understood
halibut	halibut		borrowed directly from English in some Latin American markets

How Native Speakers Use Fletán

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

Ordering at a restaurant

Voy a pedir el fletán con salsa de limón.

I am going to order the halibut with lemon sauce.

Choosing from a seafood menu.

At the fish market

¿Tiene fletán fresco hoy?

Do you have fresh halibut today?

Asking a fishmonger about availability.

Cooking instructions

Hornea el fletán a ciento ochenta grados durante veinte minutos.

Bake the halibut at one hundred eighty degrees for twenty minutes.

Following a recipe at home.

Avoid These Mistakes When Using Fletán

Mispronouncing as English

Incorrect: Quiero comprar un poco de halibut (English pronunciation).

Correct: Quiero comprar un poco de fletán.

Using the English pronunciation of 'halibut' may not be understood; 'fletán' is the standard Spanish term for this fish.

Wrong gender article

Incorrect: La fletán es muy cara.

Correct: El fletán es muy caro.

'Fletán' is masculine, so it requires the article 'el' and masculine adjective endings like 'caro.'

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See Fletán used by native speakers

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Common Questions About Halibut in Spanish

Is halibut commonly eaten in Spanish-speaking countries?: Halibut is more common in Spain, particularly in the northern Atlantic coast, while Latin American countries tend to favor local fish varieties such as corvina or robalo.
What is the plural of fletán?: The plural form is 'fletanes,' adding '-es' to the end because the word ends in a consonant, following standard Spanish pluralization rules.
How do I say 'halibut steak' in Spanish?: A halibut steak is called 'filete de fletán' or 'rodaja de fletán,' with 'filete' referring to a boneless cut and 'rodaja' to a cross-cut slice.