Inklingo
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chocolate

/cho-co-LA-te/

chocolate

A thick, rectangular bar of dark chocolate, broken into two pieces, sitting on a surface.

The sweet food we enjoy is called chocolate.

chocolate(noun)

mA1

chocolate

?

the sweet food

Also:

cocoa

?

powder or raw ingredient

📝 In Action

Mi postre favorito es el pastel de chocolate.

A1

My favorite dessert is chocolate cake.

Compré una tableta de chocolate negro para hornear.

A2

I bought a bar of dark chocolate for baking.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • chocolate con leche – milk chocolate
  • chocolate blanco – white chocolate
  • tableta de chocolate – chocolate bar

⭐ Usage Tips

Always Masculine

Even though it ends in '-e', 'chocolate' is always a masculine word, so use 'el' or 'un' before it.

A steaming white ceramic mug filled with dark hot chocolate, topped with a swirl of whipped cream.

A warm drink made from cocoa is called chocolate.

chocolate(noun)

mA2

hot chocolate

?

the drink

Also:

cocoa drink

?

prepared beverage

📝 In Action

Vamos a la churrería a tomar un chocolate caliente.

A2

We are going to the churro shop to have a hot chocolate.

Mi abuela siempre prepara el chocolate con un poco de canela.

B1

My grandmother always prepares the hot chocolate with a little cinnamon.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • cacao (cocoa)

Common Collocations

  • chocolate con churros – hot chocolate with churros (a traditional Spanish pairing)
  • taza de chocolate – cup of hot chocolate

⭐ Usage Tips

Ordering the Drink

In cafés, asking for 'un chocolate' is the standard way to order a cup of hot chocolate.

A single, perfectly round sphere painted in a solid, deep chocolate brown color against a light background.

When used as an adjective, chocolate describes a specific dark brown color.

chocolate(adjective)

mB1

chocolate

?

color

Also:

brown

?

dark shade

📝 In Action

Necesito un par de botas color chocolate para el invierno.

B1

I need a pair of chocolate-colored boots for the winter.

El perro tiene un pelaje marrón chocolate muy brillante.

B2

The dog has a very shiny chocolate brown coat.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • marrón (brown)
  • café (brown (common in Latin America))

Common Collocations

  • color chocolate – chocolate color

💡 Grammar Points

Color Adjective Rule

When 'chocolate' is used to describe a color, it is invariable. This means it doesn't change its ending to match the gender or number of the item it describes (e.g., 'las casas chocolate' not 'chocolates').

❌ Common Pitfalls

Do not pluralize the color

Mistake: "Compré unas camisas chocolates."

Correction: Compré unas camisas chocolate.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: chocolate

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'chocolate' as a color description?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

chocolatería(chocolate shop/factory) - noun
chocolatero(chocolate maker/seller) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'chocolate' always masculine in Spanish?

Yes, 'chocolate' is always a masculine noun ('el chocolate', 'un chocolate') when referring to the food or the drink. However, when used as a color adjective, it stays the same regardless of what it describes.

How is 'chocolate' pronounced differently in Spanish than in English?

In Spanish, the 'ch' is pronounced like the 'ch' in 'chip,' and the last syllable 'te' is clearly pronounced (choh-koh-LAH-teh), unlike the silent 'e' often heard in English.