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Expanding your vocabulary with everyday words is a great way to start, especially if you’re learning Spanish for beginners (A1 level). And what’s more essential than meals? Knowing how to talk about food and mealtimes can help you navigate menus, join conversations, and feel more comfortable in Spanish-speaking environments. Let’s go over these basic Spanish words for meals of the day, along with some useful phrases!
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.
Meals of the Day in Spanish
Here are the basic Spanish words for the main meals of the day:- Desayuno (deh-sah-YOO-noh) – Breakfast
- Almuerzo (ahl-MWEHR-soh) – Lunch (or a mid-morning snack, depending on the country)
- Merienda (meh-ree-EHN-dah) – Afternoon snack
- Cena (SEH-nah) – Dinner
Desayuno (deh-sah-YOO-noh) – Breakfast
Breakfast in Spanish is desayuno. It’s usually light, especially in Spain, where people might have just coffee and toast. In Latin America, you might see a bigger breakfast with eggs, fruit, and bread.
Common breakfast foods:- Pan (pahn) – Bread
- Tostadas (tohs-TAH-dahs) – Toast
- Huevos (WHEH-bohs) – Eggs
- Café (kah-FEH) – Coffee
- Té (TEH) – Tea
- Jugo / Zumo (HOO-goh / THOO-moh) – Juice (Zumo is used in Spain, Jugo in Latin America)
Almuerzo (ahl-MWEHR-soh) – Lunch
This word can mean different things depending on the country. In some places, almuerzo is a mid-morning snack, while in others, it’s the main lunch meal.
Typical foods for almuerzo:- Bocadillo / Sándwich (boh-kah-DEE-yoh / SAHN-dweech) – Sandwich
- Queso (KEH-soh) – Cheese
- Fruta (FROO-tah) – Fruit
- Arroz (ah-ROHS) – Rice
- Sopa (SOH-pah) – Soup
- Ensalada (en-sah-LAH-dah) – Salad
- Pasta (PAHS-tah) – Pasta
- Carne (KAR-neh) – Meat
- Pescado (pehs-KAH-doh) – Fish
Merienda (meh-ree-EHN-dah) – Afternoon Snack
Between lunch and dinner, many Spanish speakers have a small snack called merienda. It’s common for children and adults alike.
Popular merienda options:- Galletas (gah-YEH-tahs) – Cookies
- Yogur (yoh-GOOR) – Yogurt
- Chocolate (choh-koh-LAH-teh) – Chocolate
- Frutos secos (FROO-tohs SEH-kohs) – Nuts
Cena (SEH-nah) – Dinner
Dinner, or cena, is usually lighter than lunch, especially in Spain, where it happens late in the evening.
Typical dinner foods:- Sopa (SOH-pah) – Soup
- Tortilla española (tor-TEE-yah ehs-pah-NYOH-lah) – Spanish omelet
- Verduras (behr-DOO-rahs) – Vegetables
- Pescado (pehs-KAH-doh) – Fish
Useful Phrases About Meals
Now that you have the vocabulary, here are some helpful phrases:- ¿Qué hay para el desayuno? – What’s for breakfast?
- Voy a almorzar ahora. – I’m going to have lunch now.
- La comida estuvo deliciosa. – The meal was delicious.
- ¿Quieres merendar? – Do you want a snack?
- Vamos a cenar a las ocho. – We’re having dinner at eight.
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Final Thoughts: Basic Spanish Words
Food is a big part of any culture, and knowing how to talk about meals in Spanish will help you feel more connected. Start using these words in your daily routine, and soon, talking about food in Spanish will feel natural.
What’s your favorite meal of the day? Hopefully, these basic Spanish words helped you a lot. Let me know in the comments!