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col

kohl/kol/

“col” means “cabbage” in Spanish (generic term for the leafy green vegetable).

cabbage

Also: kale
NounfA2
SpainMexico
A whole, fresh green cabbage with layered leaves sitting on a wooden surface.

📝 In Action

La col es muy buena para la salud.

A1

Cabbage is very good for your health.

Corta la col en trozos pequeños para la sopa.

A2

Cut the cabbage into small pieces for the soup.

En esta región, es tradicional comer col lombarda en Navidad.

B1

In this region, it is traditional to eat red cabbage at Christmas.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • repollo (cabbage (specifically the round head type))
  • berza (collard greens/kale)

Common Collocations

  • col de Bruselas – Brussels sprout
  • col lombarda – red cabbage
  • col rizada – kale

Idioms & Expressions

  • Entre col y col, lechuga – To vary or alternate things to make them more interesting or less boring.

Vocabulary Collections

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "col" in Spanish:

cabbage→kale→

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✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: col

Question 1 of 3

Which article is correct for 'col'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
coliflor(cauliflower) — Noun
repollo(cabbage head) — Noun
colino(cabbage sprout) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'caulis', which simply means 'stalk' or 'stem'. Over time, it became the specific name for the cabbage plant because of its thick stalk.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: cauliflowerPortuguese: couve

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'col' the same as 'repollo'?

Mostly, yes! 'Col' is a general family name for cabbages, while 'repollo' specifically refers to the round, tight head of cabbage. In Spain, people say 'col' more often, whereas in Latin America 'repollo' is more popular.

How do I know it's feminine?

While most feminine words end in 'a', 'col' is an exception you have to memorize. Think of 'la col' as a pair with 'la flor' (the flower).

Can 'col' mean a column in a spreadsheet?

No, that would be 'columna'. 'Col' is only used for the vegetable or as a very short abbreviation for 'colonia' (neighborhood) in some addresses.