When learning Spanish, it’s easy to focus on food names but overlook the words that describe portions. However, understanding Spanish food portions vocabulary can help you navigate daily life, whether you’re shopping at the market, cooking at home, or following a recipe. This article introduces key portion-related terms, complete with example sentences and translation, followed by two practice exercises.
Spanish Food Portions Vocabulary
When talking about food in Spanish, it’s not enough to know just the names of the ingredients—you also need to describe how much of something you want. Whether you’re ordering in a restaurant or shopping at the market, understanding Spanish food portion vocabulary helps you communicate.
Una rebanada de
Me comí una rebanada de pan integral con aguacate.
I ate a slice of whole wheat bread with avocado.
Desayuné una rebanada de pan con tomate y un poco de sal.
I had a slice of bread with tomato and a bit of salt for breakfast.
Una porción de
Cada persona recibió una porción de lasaña.
Each person received a portion of lasagna.
Cada invitado recibió una porción de pastel acompañada de helado.
Each guest received a portion of cake served with ice cream.
Una ración de
Pedimos una ración de calamares para compartir.
We ordered a serving of calamari to share.
Queríamos una ración de croquetas antes de los platos principales.
We wanted a serving of croquettes before the main dishes.
Una tajada de
El frutero me dio una tajada de sandía recién cortada para probar.
The fruit seller gave me a slice of freshly cut watermelon to try.
Voy a freír una tajada de piña con canela como postre esta noche.
I’m going to fry a slice of pineapple with cinnamon as a dessert tonight
Un terrón de
Tomo mi café con un terrón de azúcar moreno y un poco de leche caliente.
I take my coffee with a lump of brown sugar and a bit of warm milk.
Mi abuelo siempre endulza su té con un terrón de azúcar cada mañana.
My grandfather always sweetens his tea with one lump of sugar every morning.
Un racimo de
Colgó un racimo de plátanos maduros en la cocina para que no se dañaran.
She hung a bunch of ripe bananas in the kitchen so they wouldn’t spoil.
Compramos un racimo de uvas en el mercado para hacer una macedonia.
We bought a bunch of grapes at the market to make a fruit salad.
Una cuña de
Sirvieron una cuña de queso manchego con miel y nueces como aperitivo.
They served a wedge of Manchego cheese with honey and walnuts as a appetizer.
El camarero nos trajo una cuña de queso curado junto con pan y aceitunas.
The waiter brought us a wedge of aged cheese along with bread and olives.
Un gajo de
Pelé una naranja y le di un gajo de fruta dulce a cada niño.
I peeled an orange and gave a segment of sweet fruit to each child.
Le di un gajo de mandarina a mi hijo después del almuerzo.
I gave my son a segment of tangerine after lunch.
Exercises
Mastering Spanish food portions vocabulary allows you to speak more fluently in everyday situations involving food. With the example sentences and the following activities with these Spanish food portions vocabulary, you’ll be better prepared to use these expressions in real life.