Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Squash in Spanish
Calabaza · noun · kah-lah-BAH-sah
The English word 'squash' most commonly translates to calabaza in Spanish when referring to the vegetable. This feminine noun encompasses pumpkins, butternut squash, and other winter varieties. Regional alternatives include zapallo in South America and ayote in Central America. When referring to the racket sport, Spanish speakers typically use the borrowed English word squash.
kah-lah-BAH-sah
La calabaza es un ingrediente esencial en muchas sopas de otoño.
Squash is an essential ingredient in many autumn soups.
Squash in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for squash, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| calabaza | squash | kah-lah-BAH-sah | Default, widely understood |
| squash | squash | sport, borrowed English word used in Spanish-speaking countries | |
| calabacín | squash | used for zucchini-type squash in Spain | |
| zapallo | squash | South America, especially Argentina, Chile, Peru |
How Native Speakers Use Calabaza
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Cooking at home
Voy a preparar una crema de calabaza con un poco de jengibre.
I'm going to make a squash soup with a bit of ginger.
Calabaza appears frequently in recipes and cooking conversations across all Spanish-speaking regions.
At the market
¿Me puede dar dos kilos de zapallo, por favor?
Can you give me two kilos of squash, please?
In Argentina and other South American countries, zapallo replaces calabaza in everyday speech.
Gardening
Las calabazas necesitan mucho sol y espacio para crecer bien.
Squash plants need a lot of sun and room to grow well.
When discussing gardening or agriculture, calabaza refers to both the plant and the fruit it produces.
Holiday decoration
Los niños decoraron calabazas naranjas para la fiesta de Halloween.
The children decorated orange pumpkins for the Halloween party.
Calabaza also covers pumpkins, which are technically a type of squash.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Calabaza
Wrong gender article
Incorrect: El calabaza está muy dulce.
Correct: La calabaza está muy dulce.
Calabaza is a feminine noun, so it takes the article la, not el. Words ending in -a are typically feminine in Spanish.
Confusing calabaza with calabacín
Incorrect: Quiero calabaza para hacer una ensalada cruda.
Correct: Quiero calabacín para hacer una ensalada cruda.
Calabaza refers to hard-shelled winter squash, while calabacín is zucchini (courgette). Raw salads typically use calabacín, not calabaza.
Lock in Squash 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 Calabaza used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using calabaza in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear La calabaza es un ingrediente esencial en muchas sopas de otoño. 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 Squash in Spanish
- What is the difference between calabaza and zapallo?
- Both words refer to squash, but their usage depends on geography. Calabaza is standard in Mexico, Spain, and the Caribbean, while zapallo is preferred in Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay. They refer to the same family of vegetables.
- How do you say 'butternut squash' in Spanish?
- Butternut squash is often called calabaza butternut or calabaza cacahuete in Spain. In Latin America, you may hear calabaza de mantequilla or simply calabaza, with the specific variety clarified by context or appearance.
- Is calabaza masculine or feminine?
- Calabaza is a feminine noun. You should say la calabaza (the squash) and use feminine adjectives: la calabaza madura (the ripe squash).