Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Pumpkin in Spanish
Calabaza · noun · kah-lah-BAH-sah
The Spanish word for pumpkin is 'calabaza,' a feminine noun used across Mexico, Spain, and the Caribbean. In South American countries like Argentina and Peru, the word 'zapallo' is more common, while in Central America, 'ayote' is preferred. All three refer to the same family of large, round squash used in both savory and sweet dishes.
Calabaza is pronounced kah-lah-BAH-sah. The stress falls on the third syllable 'ba.' Every vowel is clearly pronounced with no silent letters.
Preparé una sopa de calabaza para la cena.
I made a pumpkin soup for dinner.
Pumpkin in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for pumpkin, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| calabaza | pumpkin | kah-lah-BAH-sah | Default, widely understood |
| zapallo | pumpkin | South America (Argentina, Chile, Peru) | |
| ayote | pumpkin | Central America |
How Native Speakers Use Calabaza
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Cooking
La crema de calabaza lleva un toque de canela.
The pumpkin cream soup has a touch of cinnamon.
Describing a recipe with a warm spice.
Harvest season
En otoño se cosechan las calabazas más grandes.
In autumn, the largest pumpkins are harvested.
Talking about seasonal agriculture.
Regional variation
En Argentina pedí zapallo en vez de calabaza.
In Argentina, I asked for zapallo instead of calabaza.
Navigating regional vocabulary differences.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Calabaza
Using calabaza for all squash
Incorrect: Esta calabaza es un zucchini.
Correct: Este calabacín es un zucchini.
While calabaza covers pumpkins and large squash, a zucchini is called 'calabacín' — a diminutive form that refers specifically to the small green variety.
Wrong gender
Incorrect: El calabaza estaba muy grande.
Correct: La calabaza estaba muy grande.
Calabaza is a feminine noun, so it takes the article 'la' and feminine adjective endings.
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Why word lists alone don't stick
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See Calabaza used by native speakers
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Common Questions About Pumpkin in Spanish
- What is the difference between calabaza and zapallo?
- Both words refer to pumpkin or large squash, but 'calabaza' is used in Mexico, Spain, and the Caribbean, while 'zapallo' is the standard term in Argentina, Chile, Peru, and other South American countries.
- Is pumpkin carving common in Spanish-speaking countries?
- Pumpkin carving for Halloween has become increasingly popular in Mexico and other Latin American countries, though traditional celebrations like Día de los Muertos feature calabaza primarily as a food ingredient in candied form (calabaza en tacha).
- How do you say 'pumpkin seeds' in Spanish?
- Pumpkin seeds are called 'semillas de calabaza' or 'pepitas,' with 'pepitas' being the more common term in Mexican cuisine.