Should I use 'sésamo' or 'ajonjolí'?

Your choice depends on your audience — use 'ajonjolí' in Latin America (especially Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela) where it's the everyday kitchen term, and 'sésamo' in Spain or in formal/scientific contexts where the European term prevails.

Where does the word 'ajonjolí' come from?

The word 'ajonjolí' derives from Arabic 'al-juljulān,' entering Spanish during the centuries of Moorish presence in the Iberian Peninsula — like many Spanish food words beginning with 'a' (aceite, azúcar, almendra), it reflects the deep Arabic influence on Spanish cuisine and vocabulary.

What's the connection to 'Open Sesame'?

The famous phrase from Ali Baba translates as '¡Ábrete, sésamo!' in Spanish, using the European form of the word — this literary reference is well-known across all Spanish-speaking countries regardless of whether they normally say 'sésamo' or 'ajonjolí' in daily life.

Spanish vocabulary · Beginner

How to Say Sesame Seeds in Spanish

Written by Sofia Ramirez, Lead Spanish Curriculum Editor · Reviewed May 2026

Semillas de Sésamo · noun · seh-MEE-yahs deh SEH-sah-moh

Sesame seeds have two main translations: 'sésamo' (from Greek/Latin, used in Spain) and 'ajonjolí' (from Arabic, dominant in Latin America). In everyday Latin American cooking, you'll almost always hear 'ajonjolí' — this Arabic-origin word reflects the Moorish culinary influence on Spanish. The magic phrase 'ábrete sésamo' (open sesame) uses the European form.

For 'ajonjolí': ah-hohn-hoh-LEE with stress on the final syllable. For 'sésamo': SEH-sah-moh with stress on the first syllable.

Espolvorea ajonjolí tostado sobre la ensalada antes de servir.

Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on the salad before serving.

Sesame Seeds in Spanish: Quick Reference

Below are the most common Spanish words for sesame seeds, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.

Spanish	English	Pronunciation	Region / Register
semillas de sésamo	sesame seeds	seh-MEE-yahs deh SEH-sah-moh	Default, widely understood
ajonjolí	sesame seeds		Latin America (most common)
semillas de ajonjolí	sesame seeds		Latin America (full form)

How Native Speakers Use Semillas de Sésamo

Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.

Cooking instruction

Agrega dos cucharadas de ajonjolí al mole para darle textura.

Add two tablespoons of sesame seeds to the mole to give it texture.

Mexican cooking context where 'ajonjolí' is an essential mole ingredient.

Bakery

Quiero el pan de hamburguesa con semillas de sésamo por favor.

I want the hamburger bun with sesame seeds please.

Uses 'semillas de sésamo' in a bakery/restaurant context.

Health food

El ajonjolí es rico en calcio y lo uso en mis batidos.

Sesame seeds are rich in calcium and I use them in my smoothies.

Health/nutrition context highlighting nutritional properties.

Avoid These Mistakes When Using Semillas de Sésamo

Using 'sésamo' in Latin America

Incorrect: Necesito sésamo para la receta. (in Mexico)

Correct: Necesito ajonjolí para la receta. (in Mexico)

In Latin America, particularly Mexico, 'ajonjolí' is the everyday term. Using 'sésamo' would be understood but sounds foreign or overly technical to local ears.

Misspelling 'ajonjolí'

Incorrect: Compra un poco de ajonjoli sin acento.

Correct: Compra un poco de ajonjolí.

The word 'ajonjolí' has a mandatory accent mark on the final 'i' because it's an aguda word (stressed on the last syllable) ending in a vowel.

Lock in Sesame Seeds 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 Semillas de Sésamo used by native speakers

Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using semillas de sésamo in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Espolvorea ajonjolí tostado sobre la ensalada antes de servir. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.

Save, review, repeat, stay consistent

Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.

Common Questions About Sesame Seeds in Spanish

Should I use 'sésamo' or 'ajonjolí'?: Your choice depends on your audience — use 'ajonjolí' in Latin America (especially Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela) where it's the everyday kitchen term, and 'sésamo' in Spain or in formal/scientific contexts where the European term prevails.
Where does the word 'ajonjolí' come from?: The word 'ajonjolí' derives from Arabic 'al-juljulān,' entering Spanish during the centuries of Moorish presence in the Iberian Peninsula — like many Spanish food words beginning with 'a' (aceite, azúcar, almendra), it reflects the deep Arabic influence on Spanish cuisine and vocabulary.
What's the connection to 'Open Sesame'?: The famous phrase from Ali Baba translates as '¡Ábrete, sésamo!' in Spanish, using the European form of the word — this literary reference is well-known across all Spanish-speaking countries regardless of whether they normally say 'sésamo' or 'ajonjolí' in daily life.