cáscara

KAS-kah-rah/ˈkaskaɾa/

“cáscara” means “peel” in Spanish (outer covering of fruits and vegetables).

peel, shell

Also: rind, bark

NounfA2

General

A bright orange peel curled on a wooden surface next to a peeled orange.

📝 In Action

No te comas la cáscara del plátano.

Don't eat the banana peel.

Necesito quitarle la cáscara a los huevos cocidos.

I need to remove the shell from the boiled eggs.

La cáscara de la nuez es muy dura y difícil de romper.

The walnut shell is very hard and difficult to break.

Word Connections

Synonyms

piel (skin)
corteza (bark/crust)

Antonyms

pulpa (pulp/flesh)
interior (inside)

Common Collocations

cáscara de naranja – orange peel
cáscara de huevo – eggshell
quitar la cáscara – to peel / to remove the shell

Idioms & Expressions

salir de la cáscara – to hatch or to start showing one's true personality
ser de la cáscara amarga – to be difficult to deal with or to have different views (often used for political/social differences)

Vocabulary Collections

Fruits Vegetables

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: cáscara

Question 1 of 3

How would you say 'lemon peel' in Spanish?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼

cascar(to crack/break open) — Verb

cascarón(large shell / eggshell) — Noun

descascarar(to peel off / to shell) — Verb

🎵 Rhymes▼

máscarajácara

📚 Etymology▼

Derived from the Spanish verb 'cascar' (to crack or break), which comes from the Vulgar Latin word 'quassicare' meaning 'to shake' or 'to shatter.'

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: cascaEnglish: quash (distantly related via Latin)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'cáscara' used for seafood like shrimp or crabs?

Yes! You use 'cáscara' for the shells of shrimp (gambas) or prawns. However, for large mollusks like clams or oysters, the word 'concha' is more common.

Can I use 'cáscara' for a potato?

Absolutely. Whether it's a potato, an apple, or a banana, 'cáscara' is the standard word for that outer skin you remove before or after cooking.

Does 'cáscara' ever mean tree bark?

Sometimes, but 'corteza' is the more accurate and common word for tree bark. In casual conversation in some regions, you might hear 'cáscara,' but stick with 'corteza' to be safe.