espuma
/es-POO-mah/
foam
Espuma can refer to the foam or bubbles found on a liquid, such as sea foam.
espuma(noun)
foam
?general bubbles on a liquid
froth
?on top of coffee or beer
,suds
?from soap or detergent
📝 In Action
Me encanta la espuma de este café.
A1I love the froth on this coffee.
Las olas del mar dejaban mucha espuma en la arena.
A2The ocean waves left a lot of foam on the sand.
Lávate las manos hasta que salga espuma.
B1Wash your hands until suds appear.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Check
Even though it ends in 'a', just remember it is feminine: 'la espuma'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Foam vs. Bubbles
Mistake: "Using 'burbuja' for the white stuff on coffee."
Correction: Use 'espuma' for the thick white layer and 'burbuja' for single individual bubbles.
⭐ Usage Tips
Natural Phrasing
Use 'espuma' when talking about beer heads or the top of a cappuccino to sound like a local.
Espuma also refers to a mousse, whether it is a light dessert or a hair styling product.
espuma(noun)
mousse
?hair styling or dessert
,foam
?material like foam rubber or padding
styrofoam
?packing material
📝 In Action
Necesito comprar espuma para el pelo.
A2I need to buy some hair mousse.
Este colchón es de espuma de memoria.
B1This mattress is made of memory foam.
⭐ Usage Tips
Hair Care
In a pharmacy or salon, ask for 'espuma' if you want hair mousse; they won't use the French word 'mousse' as often as English speakers do.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: espuma
Question 1 of 2
If you are at a cafe and want a cappuccino with lots of froth, what do you ask for?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'espuma' the same as 'mousse' in cooking?
Yes! While Spanish sometimes uses the word 'mousse' for the dessert, 'espuma' is the standard Spanish word for any foamy texture in cooking, especially in modern gastronomy.
Can I use 'espuma' for a sponge?
Not exactly. A cleaning sponge is 'esponja', but the material inside a sofa or mattress is often called 'gomaespuma' or simply 'espuma'.