Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Pickles in Spanish: Pepinillos, Encurtidos, and How to Order Them
Pepinillos · noun (masculine, plural) · peh-pee-NEE-yohs
Pickles in Spanish is pepinillos — the diminutive of pepino (cucumber). They refer specifically to small cucumbers preserved in vinegar (pepinillos en vinagre). For pickled vegetables in general — olives, onions, peppers — the word is encurtidos. Both terms are masculine and plural in typical usage.
Pepinillos: peh-pee-NEE-yohs — four syllables, stress on the third. The double l (ll) is pronounced like a 'y' in most dialects. Encurtidos: ehn-koor-TEE-dohs — four syllables, stress on the third.
¿Quieres pepinillos en tu hamburguesa?
Do you want pickles on your hamburger?
Pickles in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for pickles, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| pepinillos | pickles | peh-pee-NEE-yohs | Default, widely understood |
| pepinillos en vinagre | pickles | explicit form — specifies they are pickled | |
| encurtidos | pickles | general term for any pickled vegetables, not just cucumbers |
How Native Speakers Use Pepinillos
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Ordering food
Ponme pepinillos extra en el sándwich, por favor.
Put extra pickles on my sandwich, please.
Ponme is an informal way to say 'put for me.' In a restaurant you might say póngame (formal).
At a Spanish tapas bar
La banderilla lleva pepinillos, aceitunas y guindillas en un palillo.
The banderilla has pickles, olives, and chili peppers on a toothpick.
Banderillas are classic Spanish bar snacks made with encurtidos threaded onto a stick.
Grocery shopping
Compra un frasco de pepinillos en vinagre y otro de encurtidos variados.
Buy a jar of pickles and another of assorted pickled vegetables.
Frasco (jar) is the standard container word. Encurtidos variados means a mixed pickle assortment.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Pepinillos
Using pepino instead of pepinillo for pickles
Incorrect: Me gustan los pepinos en la hamburguesa.
Correct: Me gustan los pepinillos en la hamburguesa.
Pepino is a fresh cucumber. Pepinillo is the pickled version (a gherkin). Using pepino when you mean pickles would confuse your listener — they would picture raw cucumber slices.
Saying pickles as a loanword
Incorrect: Quiero pickles en mi plato.
Correct: Quiero pepinillos en mi plato.
Unlike some food loanwords (sándwich, pizza), the English word pickles has not been adopted into Spanish. Always use pepinillos or encurtidos.
Lock in Pickles 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 Pepinillos used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using pepinillos in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear ¿Quieres pepinillos en tu hamburguesa? while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
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Common Questions About Pickles in Spanish
- What is the difference between pepinillos and encurtidos?
- Pepinillos are specifically pickled cucumbers (gherkins). Encurtidos is the umbrella term for any vegetables preserved in vinegar or brine — including olives, pearl onions, capers, and peppers. All pepinillos are encurtidos, but not all encurtidos are pepinillos.
- Are pickles common in Spanish cuisine?
- Yes, especially in Spain where encurtidos are a staple at tapas bars. Pepinillos, aceitunas (olives), and banderillas are served alongside drinks. In Latin America, pickled jalapeños and other peppers are more common than gherkin-style pickles.
- How do I say 'dill pickle' in Spanish?
- There is no standard one-word translation. You can say pepinillo al eneldo (pickle with dill) or pepinillo estilo americano (American-style pickle). Dill pickles are not traditional in Spanish-speaking countries, so some explanation may be needed.