Is hummus common in Spanish-speaking countries?

Hummus has become widely available in Spain and major Latin American cities over the past decade, found in supermarkets and restaurants as Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines have gained popularity, though it remains less of a staple than in Middle Eastern countries.

Is the gender of 'hummus' masculine or feminine in Spanish?

Hummus is treated as masculine in Spanish (el hummus), following the default masculine assignment given to most foreign loanwords that don't end in 'a,' so you would say 'el hummus está delicioso' rather than 'la hummus.'

What are the main ingredients of hummus called in Spanish?

The key ingredients are garbanzos (chickpeas), tahini or pasta de sésamo (sesame paste), aceite de oliva (olive oil), jugo de limón (lemon juice), ajo (garlic), and comino (cumin), all of which are readily available in Spanish-speaking markets.

Spanish vocabulary · Beginner

How to Say Hummus in Spanish

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

Hummus · noun · OO-moos

Hummus is generally kept as 'hummus' in Spanish since it's an international loanword from Arabic. Some speakers write it as 'humus' (one 'm'), and you may hear the descriptive phrase 'paté de garbanzos' (chickpea paste) used to explain it to those unfamiliar with the dish. The word has become increasingly common as Mediterranean cuisine gains popularity.

Pronounce it OO-moos in Spanish, since the 'h' is always silent. Spanish speakers do not aspirate the initial sound. The double 'm' is pronounced as a single 'm' sound, making it effectively two syllables.

Me encanta comer hummus con pan pita y verduras.

I love eating hummus with pita bread and vegetables.

Hummus in Spanish: Quick Reference

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

Spanish	English	Pronunciation	Region / Register
hummus	hummus	OO-moos	Default, widely understood
humus	hummus		alternate spelling in some regions
paté de garbanzos	hummus		descriptive term

How Native Speakers Use Hummus

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

Restaurant order

¿Tienen hummus como entrada? Me gustaría uno con pita.

Do you have hummus as a starter? I'd like one with pita.

Ordering at a restaurant where Mediterranean food is served.

Homemade recipe

Hice hummus casero con garbanzos, tahini y un poco de limón.

I made homemade hummus with chickpeas, tahini, and a bit of lemon.

Discussing cooking at home using the standard recipe ingredients.

Health discussion

El hummus es una buena fuente de proteína vegetal.

Hummus is a good source of plant protein.

Talking about nutritional benefits in a health-conscious conversation.

Avoid These Mistakes When Using Hummus

Pronouncing the 'h'

Incorrect: Saying 'hummus' with an English aspirated 'h' sound

Correct: Say OO-moos with silent 'h'

Because Spanish drops the aspiration on every written 'h,' hummus begins with a pure vowel sound (OO). Adding breath before it sounds distinctly anglicized to native ears.

Using 'humus' (soil) instead of 'hummus' (food)

Incorrect: Voy a comprar humus para el jardín. (meaning the food)

Correct: Voy a comprar hummus para comer. / Voy a comprar humus/mantillo para el jardín.

'Humus' with one 'm' also means the organic component of soil in Spanish. Context usually clarifies, but spelling 'hummus' with double 'm' for the food avoids potential confusion in writing.

Lock in Hummus 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 Hummus used by native speakers

Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using hummus in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Me encanta comer hummus con pan pita y verduras. 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 Hummus in Spanish

Is hummus common in Spanish-speaking countries?: Hummus has become widely available in Spain and major Latin American cities over the past decade, found in supermarkets and restaurants as Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines have gained popularity, though it remains less of a staple than in Middle Eastern countries.
Is the gender of 'hummus' masculine or feminine in Spanish?: Hummus is treated as masculine in Spanish (el hummus), following the default masculine assignment given to most foreign loanwords that don't end in 'a,' so you would say 'el hummus está delicioso' rather than 'la hummus.'
What are the main ingredients of hummus called in Spanish?: The key ingredients are garbanzos (chickpeas), tahini or pasta de sésamo (sesame paste), aceite de oliva (olive oil), jugo de limón (lemon juice), ajo (garlic), and comino (cumin), all of which are readily available in Spanish-speaking markets.