cubiertos
/koo-byehr-tohs/
cutlery
In Spanish, 'cubiertos' refers to the set of cutlery used for eating.
cubiertos(noun)
cutlery
?General term for forks, knives, and spoons
silverware
?US English common term
,place setting
?The full set of utensils for one person at a table
📝 In Action
Por favor, pon los cubiertos en la mesa.
A1Please, put the cutlery on the table.
¿Me puede traer un juego de cubiertos limpio?
A2Can you bring me a set of clean silverware?
💡 Grammar Points
Always Plural
When talking about the general set of tools for eating, we almost always use the plural form 'los cubiertos.'
❌ Common Pitfalls
Cubierto vs. Cubiertos
Mistake: "Using 'el cubierto' to mean the whole set of tools."
Correction: Use 'los cubiertos' for the set. 'El cubierto' usually refers to a single place setting or the price of a fixed meal in some countries.
⭐ Usage Tips
Restaurant Tip
If you drop your fork in a restaurant, just ask for 'un cubierto' (singular) or specify the item (like 'un tenedor').
As an adjective, 'cubiertos' means something is covered or topped with another object.
cubiertos(adjective)
covered
?To have something over or on top of it
overcast
?Referring to the sky or weather
,shrouded
?Hidden by something like mist or fog
📝 In Action
Los coches están cubiertos de nieve.
A2The cars are covered in snow.
Hoy los cielos estarán cubiertos.
B1Today the skies will be overcast.
💡 Grammar Points
Matching the Noun
Because this is a description word (adjective), it ends in '-os' to match plural masculine things (like 'coches' or 'cielos').
❌ Common Pitfalls
The 'With' Trap
Mistake: ""
Correction:
⭐ Usage Tips
Weather Reports
You will hear this word every day on Spanish weather forecasts to describe cloudy days.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: cubiertos
Question 1 of 2
If you are setting the table and need forks, spoons, and knives, you are looking for the...
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'cubiertos' include the napkin?
Technically no. It refers to the metal utensils (fork, knife, spoon). However, in a restaurant context, 'un cubierto' might include the whole place setting.
Why is the word for 'covered' and 'forks' the same?
It dates back to the Royal Courts. Utensils were brought to the table 'covered' (cubiertos) to guarantee that no one had touched them or poisoned them before the King ate.