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aceituna

ah-say-too-nah/aseiˈtuna/

olive

Also: olive green
NounfA1
Spain
A small green olive with a red pimento center sitting on a wooden surface.

📝 In Action

Me gusta comer aceitunas con mi ensalada.

A1

I like to eat olives with my salad.

¿Prefieres las aceitunas verdes o las negras?

A1

Do you prefer green olives or black ones?

Esta pizza tiene demasiadas aceitunas sin hueso.

A2

This pizza has too many pitted olives.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • aceituna rellena – stuffed olive
  • aceituna sin hueso – pitted olive (literally: olive without bone)
  • aceite de oliva – olive oil

Idioms & Expressions

  • ser como una aceituna – To have an oval-shaped face or head

olive-skinned

Also: olive-colored
A portrait of a person with a warm, olive-toned complexion smiling against a soft blue background.

📝 In Action

Ella tiene una piel aceituna preciosa.

B1

She has beautiful olive skin.

Se compró una chaqueta verde aceituna.

B1

He bought an olive-green jacket.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • aceitunado (olive-colored)

Common Collocations

  • piel aceituna – olive skin
  • color aceituna – olive color

Vocabulary Collections

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "aceituna" in Spanish:

olive→olive green→olive-colored→olive-skinned→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: aceituna

Question 1 of 3

What is the name of the tree that produces 'aceitunas'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
aceite(oil) — Noun
aceitunado(olive-colored) — Adjective
aceitunero(olive-picker) — Noun
olivar(olive grove) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Hispanic Arabic word 'az-zaytūna,' which comes from the classical Arabic 'zaytūnah.' This reflects the deep history of olive cultivation introduced by Arab cultures in the Iberian Peninsula.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: azeitonaArabic: zaytun

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a difference between 'aceituna' and 'oliva'?

Technically, no. They refer to the same fruit. However, 'aceituna' is the most common word for the snack, while 'oliva' is more common when referring to the oil (aceite de oliva) or in specific regions of Spain.

Why does 'aceituna' look so different from the English word 'olive'?

Because they come from different roots! 'Olive' comes from Latin 'oliva,' while 'aceituna' comes from the Arabic 'zaytūn.' Spanish kept both words!

Are green and black olives different types of fruit?

No, they are the same fruit! Green olives are picked before they are ripe, and black olives are left to ripen fully on the tree.