Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Spinach in Spanish
Espinacas · noun · ehs-pee-NAH-kahs
"Spinach" translates to espinacas in Spanish, typically used in the plural. This feminine noun refers to the edible green leaves of the Spinacia oleracea plant. Whether buying it at a market, ordering it at a restaurant, or following a recipe, you will almost always encounter the plural form las espinacas.
ehs-pee-NAH-kahs
Las espinacas son ricas en hierro y vitaminas.
Spinach is rich in iron and vitamins.
Spinach in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for spinach, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| espinacas | spinach | ehs-pee-NAH-kahs | Default, widely understood |
| espinaca | spinach | singular form, less common in everyday speech |
How Native Speakers Use Espinacas
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
At the grocery store
¿Dónde están las espinacas frescas?
Where is the fresh spinach?
Even though English uses the uncountable singular 'spinach,' Spanish treats it as a countable plural noun.
Cooking instructions
Saltea las espinacas con ajo y aceite de oliva.
Sauté the spinach with garlic and olive oil.
Recipe language in Spanish naturally uses the plural: las espinacas, never la espinaca in casual cooking.
Nutritional advice
Los médicos recomiendan comer espinacas al menos dos veces por semana.
Doctors recommend eating spinach at least twice a week.
Health and dietary recommendations consistently use the plural espinacas without an article.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Espinacas
Using the singular in everyday speech
Incorrect: Me gusta la espinaca cruda.
Correct: Me gustan las espinacas crudas.
While grammatically valid, the singular espinaca sounds unnatural in daily conversation. Native speakers default to the plural espinacas, which also requires plural verb and adjective agreement.
Wrong gender
Incorrect: Los espinacas están muy buenos.
Correct: Las espinacas están muy buenas.
Espinaca is a feminine noun. The article must be las (not los) and adjectives must take the feminine ending: buenas, frescas, crudas.
Lock in Spinach 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 Espinacas used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using espinacas in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Las espinacas son ricas en hierro y vitaminas. 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 Spinach in Spanish
- Why is spinach plural in Spanish?
- Many food items that English treats as uncountable appear in the plural in Spanish — espinacas, lentejas (lentils), judías (beans). This is simply a grammatical convention; the plural form refers to the food as a whole, not to individual leaves.
- Is the singular espinaca ever used?
- Yes, but mainly in scientific, botanical, or very formal writing. In recipes, menus, and conversation, espinacas (plural) is standard and expected.
- How do I say 'baby spinach' in Spanish?
- Baby spinach is typically called espinacas baby or espinacas tiernas (tender spinach). Some markets also label it brotes de espinaca (spinach sprouts).