Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say "Thyme" in Spanish
Tomillo · noun (masculine) · toh-MEE-yoh
"Thyme" is "tomillo" in Spanish, a masculine noun. This fragrant herb is a staple in Spanish cuisine, appearing in classics like paella, roasted meats, and stews.
toh-MEE-yoh
Añade una ramita de tomillo al guiso para darle más sabor.
Add a sprig of thyme to the stew to give it more flavor.
Thyme in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for thyme, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| tomillo | thyme | toh-MEE-yoh | Default, widely understood |
| tomillo | thyme | Universal |
How Native Speakers Use Tomillo
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Cooking instruction
Espolvorea tomillo seco sobre las patatas antes de meterlas al horno.
Sprinkle dried thyme over the potatoes before putting them in the oven.
A recipe direction using dried thyme as a seasoning.
Herb garden
Plantamos tomillo, romero y albahaca en el jardín de la cocina.
We planted thyme, rosemary, and basil in the kitchen garden.
Mentioning thyme alongside other common herbs in a garden.
Tea or infusion
Una infusión de tomillo con miel alivia la tos y el dolor de garganta.
A thyme infusion with honey soothes coughs and sore throats.
Traditional home remedy using thyme as a medicinal tea.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Tomillo
Confusing "tomillo" with "tomate"
Incorrect: Pon un poco de tomate en la sopa. (intending thyme)
Correct: Pon un poco de tomillo en la sopa.
"Tomate" means "tomato," not "thyme." The words share the prefix "tom-" but refer to completely different ingredients. Pay close attention to the ending: "-illo" for thyme, "-ate" for tomato.
Wrong gender article
Incorrect: La tomillo está fresca.
Correct: El tomillo está fresco.
"Tomillo" is a masculine noun, so it takes the article "el" and masculine adjectives. Using "la" or feminine adjective endings is a gender agreement error.
Lock in Thyme 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 Tomillo used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using tomillo in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Añade una ramita de tomillo al guiso para darle más sabor. 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 Thyme in Spanish
- Is thyme commonly used in Spanish cooking?
- Very much so. Thyme ("tomillo") is one of the foundational herbs in Spanish cuisine. It features prominently in dishes like arroz al horno, cordero asado, and various sopas de legumbres across the Iberian Peninsula.
- What is the plural of "tomillo"?
- The plural is "tomillos." You might encounter it when referring to multiple thyme plants or varieties, for example: "Existen varios tipos de tomillos silvestres en esta región" (There are several types of wild thyme in this region).
- Does "tomillo" have any medicinal associations in Spanish culture?
- Yes, thyme has been used in folk medicine throughout Spain and Latin America for centuries. Infusions of tomillo are traditionally recommended for respiratory ailments, digestive discomfort, and as a mild antiseptic.