Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Spices in Spanish: Especias & Condimentos
Especias · noun (feminine, plural) · ehs-PEH-see-ahs
Spices in Spanish is especias, a feminine plural noun covering dried aromatic substances like cumin, cinnamon, and paprika. The broader term condimentos includes spices as well as sauces, pastes, and other seasonings. In Mexico and Central America, sazonadores is also used for seasoning blends.
Especias is four syllables: ehs-PEH-see-ahs. The stress lands on the second syllable. Do not confuse it with the similar-sounding word especies (species), which has stress on the same syllable but a different final vowel pattern.
Este plato lleva muchas especias diferentes.
This dish uses many different spices.
Spices in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for spices, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| especias | spices | ehs-PEH-see-ahs | Default, widely understood |
| condimentos | spices | broader term covering seasonings and condiments | |
| sazonadores | spices | seasonings, common in Mexico and Central America |
How Native Speakers Use Especias
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Shopping for spices
Fui al mercado a comprar especias frescas para el mole.
I went to the market to buy fresh spices for the mole.
Especias is the standard term you would use at a market or grocery store.
Describing a dish's seasoning
La sopa tiene comino, cilantro y otras especias.
The soup has cumin, cilantro, and other spices.
When listing ingredients, especias serves as the catch-all category for dried spices.
Using the broader term condimentos
El estante de condimentos incluye salsa, mostaza y pimienta.
The condiment shelf includes salsa, mustard, and pepper.
Condimentos covers a wider range than especias, including sauces and prepared seasonings.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Especias
Confusing especias (spices) with especies (species)
Incorrect: Necesito comprar especies para la receta.
Correct: Necesito comprar especias para la receta.
Especies means species (as in animal species). Especias means spices. The words look and sound similar but have completely different meanings. Remember: especias for the kitchen, especies for biology.
Using picante when you mean spiced
Incorrect: Esta comida es muy picante. (when meaning well-spiced, not hot)
Correct: Esta comida tiene muchas especias.
Picante specifically means spicy-hot (chili heat). A dish can be richly spiced with cinnamon and cumin without being picante. Use tiene muchas especias for well-seasoned food that is not necessarily hot.
Why Spices Matters in Spanish-Speaking Cultures
Spice markets across Latin America
Lock in Spices 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 Especias used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using especias in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Este plato lleva muchas especias diferentes. 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 Spices in Spanish
- How do you say spices in Spanish?
- Spices in Spanish is especias. It covers dried, aromatic ingredients like cumin (comino), cinnamon (canela), and paprika (pimentón). For a broader term that includes sauces and prepared seasonings, use condimentos.
- What is the difference between especias and condimentos?
- Especias refers specifically to dried spices like cumin, cloves, and turmeric. Condimentos is broader and includes spices, sauces, mustard, and any seasoning added to food. All especias are condimentos, but not all condimentos are especias.
- What are the most common spices in Mexican cooking?
- Key spices in Mexican cuisine include comino (cumin), canela (cinnamon), clavo (cloves), pimienta (black pepper), and orégano mexicano (Mexican oregano). Dried chiles like ancho, guajillo, and chipotle are also central to the flavor profile.