Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Prune in Spanish: Ciruela Pasa & Podar
Ciruela pasa · noun (feminine) / verb · see-RWEH-lah PAH-sah
Prune has two translations in Spanish. The dried fruit is ciruela pasa (literally raisin plum). The gardening verb to prune is podar — trimming branches from trees and bushes. These are completely separate concepts sharing one English word.
see-RWEH-lah PAH-sah (ciruela pasa) / poh-DAHR (podar).
Las ciruelas pasas son buenas para la digestión.
Prunes are good for digestion.
Prune in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for prune, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| ciruela pasa | prune | see-RWEH-lah PAH-sah | Default, widely understood |
| podar | prune | verb: to prune branches | |
| ciruela seca | prune | dried plum, alternate name |
How Native Speakers Use Ciruela pasa
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
The dried fruit
Agrega ciruelas pasas al arroz con leche.
Add prunes to the rice pudding.
Ciruelas pasas appear in many Latin American desserts and compotes.
Health benefits
Mi doctor me recomendó comer ciruelas pasas para la digestión.
My doctor recommended eating prunes for digestion.
Prunes are commonly recommended in Spanish-language health advice.
Pruning plants (verb)
Hay que podar los rosales antes de que empiece la primavera.
You need to prune the rose bushes before spring starts.
Podar is the standard gardening verb for trimming branches.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Ciruela pasa
Using pruna as a noun
Incorrect: Compré prunas en el supermercado.
Correct: Compré ciruelas pasas en el supermercado.
Pruna does not exist in standard Spanish. The fruit is ciruela pasa (dried plum). Ciruela alone means fresh plum.
Confusing podar with poder
Incorrect: Necesito poder los árboles. (intending: prune)
Correct: Necesito podar los árboles.
Podar means to prune. Poder means to be able to / power. One letter difference, entirely different verbs.
Lock in Prune 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 Ciruela pasa used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using ciruela pasa in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Las ciruelas pasas son buenas para la digestión. 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 Prune in Spanish
- How do you say prune in Spanish?
- The fruit is ciruela pasa (dried plum). The gardening action to prune branches is podar.
- What is the difference between ciruela and ciruela pasa?
- Ciruela is a fresh plum. Ciruela pasa is a dried plum (prune). Pasa means dried/raisin — like uva pasa (raisin from grape).
- How do you conjugate podar?
- Podar is a regular -ar verb: yo podo, tú podas, él poda, nosotros podamos, ellos podan. No irregularities.