A colorful, simple illustration showing a woven basket overflowing with various types of food, including bright red apples, yellow bananas, orange carrots, and a rustic loaf of bread.

alimentos

ah-lee-MEN-tohs

nounmA1

food?general term for what we eat,provisions?supply of food

Also:groceries?items bought at the store,nourishment?substance that sustains life

📝 In Action

Necesitamos comprar más alimentos frescos para la semana.

We need to buy more fresh food for the week.

La escasez de alimentos en la región es una crisis grave.

The food shortage in the region is a serious crisis.

Las etiquetas nutricionales detallan los componentes de los alimentos procesados.

The nutritional labels detail the components of processed foods.

Word Connections

Synonyms

comida (food/meal)
víveres (provisions/supplies)

Common Collocations

cadena de alimentos – food chain
seguridad alimentaria – food security
alimentos orgánicos – organic foods

💡 Grammar Points

Always Masculine Plural

Even though it refers to many different kinds of food, 'alimentos' is always treated as a masculine plural noun. Use 'los' or 'unos' with it.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing 'alimentos' and 'comida'

Mistake: "Using 'alimentos' to mean a specific meal, like 'Vamos a comer alimentos.'"

Correction: Use 'comida' (meal) or 'almuerzo' (lunch) for specific eating events. 'Alimentos' refers to the substance or category of food itself.

⭐ Usage Tips

Alimentos vs. Comida

Think of 'alimentos' as the general category (like 'Food Pyramid'), while 'comida' is what you eat for dinner (like 'the meal').

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: alimentos

Question 1 of 1

Which Spanish word is best for referring to the general supply of things you buy at the supermarket?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

alimento(a single food item or nourishment (singular)) - noun

alimentar(to feed) - verb

alimenticio(nutritional/food-related) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use 'alimento' (singular) instead of 'alimentos' (plural)?

Yes, but 'alimento' usually refers to a single, specific food item (like 'a nutrient' or 'a type of food'). 'Alimentos' (plural) is much more common and is used when talking about food in general or a supply of food.

Is 'alimentos' the same as 'comida'?

They are very close! 'Alimentos' is the more technical or general word for the substance of food, often used in discussions about nutrition or public health. 'Comida' is used more often in daily life to mean 'a meal' or 'a dish.'