Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Pot in Spanish
Olla · noun · OH-yah
The Spanish word for a cooking pot is 'olla,' a feminine noun referring to a deep vessel used for boiling, stewing, and preparing soups. For a flower pot, the word is 'maceta.' The distinction matters because English uses 'pot' for both, while Spanish has separate terms depending on whether the pot is for cooking or planting.
Olla is pronounced OH-yah. The double 'l' in Spanish creates a 'y' sound (in most of Latin America) or a 'j' sound (in Argentina). The stress falls on the first syllable.
Pon el agua a hervir en la olla grande.
Put the water to boil in the big pot.
Pot in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for pot, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| olla | pot | OH-yah | Default, widely understood |
| maceta | pot | flower pot or plant pot | |
| cacerola | pot | cooking pot, similar to saucepan |
How Native Speakers Use Olla
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Cooking
Necesito una olla más grande para hacer la sopa.
I need a bigger pot to make the soup.
Selecting the right cookware in the kitchen.
Gardening
Planté las flores en una maceta de barro.
I planted the flowers in a clay pot.
Describing a gardening activity.
Traditional dish
La olla podrida es un guiso tradicional español.
Olla podrida is a traditional Spanish stew.
Referencing a classic dish named after the pot it's cooked in.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Olla
Using olla for flower pot
Incorrect: Las flores están en la olla del jardín.
Correct: Las flores están en la maceta del jardín.
Olla refers to a cooking pot; for gardening or planting, the correct word is 'maceta.'
Pronouncing the double l as English l
Incorrect: Pronouncing olla as OH-lah.
Correct: Pronouncing olla as OH-yah.
In Spanish, the double 'l' (ll) is pronounced like a 'y' sound in most dialects, not as an English 'l.'
Lock in Pot 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 Olla used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using olla in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Pon el agua a hervir en la olla grande. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Pot in Spanish
- What is the difference between olla and cacerola?
- An olla is typically a deeper, rounded pot used for boiling and stewing, while a cacerola is a shallower pan with a long handle, similar to a saucepan — though the terms overlap in some regions.
- How do you say 'flower pot' in Spanish?
- A flower pot is called 'maceta' or 'tiesto,' depending on the region — 'maceta' is the most widely used term across Latin America and Spain.
- What is an olla de presión?
- An 'olla de presión' is a pressure cooker, a sealed pot that uses steam pressure to cook food faster — it is a staple appliance in many Latin American kitchens.