Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Nut in Spanish: Nuez & Fruto Seco
Nuez · noun (feminine) · noo-EHS
The Spanish word for nut is 'nuez,' which most commonly refers to a walnut. For the broader category of tree nuts and edible seeds, Spanish speakers use 'fruto seco' (dried fruit) or 'frutos secos' in the plural. The word 'tuerca' is used for a hardware nut paired with a bolt.
Pronounce 'nuez' as noo-EHS, with stress on the final syllable. The plural form 'nueces' is pronounced noo-EH-sehs.
El pastel de nuez es mi favorito en las fiestas.
Walnut cake is my favorite at parties.
Nut in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for nut, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| nuez | nut | noo-EHS | Default, widely understood |
| fruto seco | nut | general term for any dried nut or seed | |
| tuerca | nut | hardware nut, as in bolt and nut |
How Native Speakers Use Nuez
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Snacking
Me gusta picar frutos secos por la tarde.
I like to snack on nuts in the afternoon.
Talking about healthy eating habits.
Baking a recipe
Esta receta lleva media taza de nueces picadas.
This recipe calls for half a cup of chopped nuts.
Following a baking recipe.
Hardware store
Necesito una tuerca de diez milímetros para este tornillo.
I need a ten-millimeter nut for this screw.
Buying hardware supplies.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Nuez
Using 'nut' as a loanword
Incorrect: Compré una bolsa de nuts en el supermercado.
Correct: Compré una bolsa de nueces en el supermercado.
The English word 'nuts' is not used in Spanish. The correct plural form is 'nueces' for walnuts or 'frutos secos' for mixed nuts.
Confusing food and hardware meanings
Incorrect: Pásame la nuez para apretar el tornillo.
Correct: Pásame la tuerca para apretar el tornillo.
For the metal fastener, Spanish uses 'tuerca,' not 'nuez.' Saying 'nuez' in a hardware context would confuse listeners into thinking you mean a walnut.
Lock in Nut 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 Nuez used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using nuez in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El pastel de nuez es mi favorito en las fiestas. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Nut in Spanish
- Does 'nuez' only mean walnut?
- In most Spanish-speaking countries, 'nuez' by itself defaults to walnut, but it can be combined with modifiers to specify other types, such as 'nuez de macadamia' or 'nuez de la India' (cashew).
- How do you say 'peanut' in Spanish?
- Peanuts are called 'cacahuate' in Mexico and Central America, 'maní' in South America and the Caribbean, and occasionally 'cacahuete' in Spain.
- What is the plural of 'nuez'?
- The plural is 'nueces,' formed by dropping the 'z' and adding '-ces,' which follows the standard Spanish pluralization rule for words ending in 'z.'