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If you spend time in the kitchen, knowing basic Spanish words for utensils and containers makes a big difference. From grabbing a tenedor (fork) to pouring a drink into a vaso (glass), these words come up all the time. Here’s a list of must-know kitchen vocabulary to help you expand your list of basic Spanish words.
As a Spanish learner myself, I’ve learned the hard way that aiming for fluency right away isn’t the best goal when learning a new language. So, if you’re just starting out with Spanish, I highly recommend familiarizing yourself with the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference). It will guide you on what to focus on at each stage of your learning journey. Check out this article to get a clearer idea of what you should learn as a beginner and what’s expected of you along the way.
Common Spanish Utensils
Let’s start with the basics. Here are some essential utensils you’ll find in any kitchen:
- Cuchara (koo-CHA-rah) – Spoon
- Cucharita (koo-cha-REE-tah) – Teaspoon (literally “little spoon”)
- Tenedor (teh-neh-DOR) – Fork
- Cuchillo (koo-CHEE-yoh) – Knife
- Palillos (pah-LEE-yos) – Chopsticks
- Espátula (es-PAH-too-lah) – Spatula
- Batidor (bah-tee-DOR) – Whisk
- Abrelatas (ah-breh-LAH-tas) – Can opener
- Sacacorchos (sah-kah-KOR-chos) – Corkscrew
- Pelador (peh-lah-DOR) – Peeler
- Pinzas (PEEN-thas) – Tongs
- Colador (koh-lah-DOR) – Strainer
A quick tip: Some kitchen-related words in Spanish come from their function. For example, sacacorchos literally means “cork remover” (sacar = to take out, corcho = cork).
Kitchen Containers in Spanish
Now, onto the things we use to store or serve food:
- Plato (PLAH-toh) – Plate
- Taza (TAH-sah) – Cup/Mug
- Vaso (BAH-soh) – Glass (for drinking)
- Bol (BOL) – Bowl (sometimes cuenco)
- Cacerola (kah-seh-ROH-lah) – Saucepan
- Olla (OH-yah) – Pot
- Sartén (sahr-TEN) – Frying pan
- Bandeja (bahn-DEH-hah) – Tray
- Tupper (TOO-pehr or TAH-pehr) – Tupperware (yes, it’s often used in Spanish too!)
- Botella (boh-TEH-yah) – Bottle
- Jarra (HAH-rah) – Jug/Pitcher
A common mistake is mixing up vaso and taza. Use vaso for drinks like water or juice, and taza for coffee, tea, or anything hot.
Real-Life Application
Knowing these words is great, but using them is even better! Try these phrases to practice:
- ¿Me pasas el tenedor, por favor? – Can you pass me the fork, please?
- Voy a usar una sartén para freír los huevos. – I’m going to use a frying pan to fry the eggs.
- Necesito un colador para escurrir la pasta. – I need a strainer to drain the pasta.
- ¿Tienes un abrelatas? – Do you have a can opener?
- Pon los vasos en la mesa, por favor. – Put the glasses on the table, please.
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Want to improve your Spanish as a beginner? I personally recommend Mondly, as it helped me tremendously when I was just starting out. With its interactive lessons and real-world conversations, it’s an excellent tool for expanding your vocabulary and building confidence in Spanish. Try Mondly now for free!
Basic Spanish Words: Keep Expanding Your Vocabulary
Learning basic Spanish words like these helps you feel more confident in everyday conversations. Next time you cook or eat, try saying the names of the utensils and containers in Spanish—it’s a small habit that makes a big difference.
Want to keep going? Check out this list of beginner Spanish vocabulary lessons, and let’s build your language skills one word at a time.