A bright yellow, rectangular block of butter resting on a simple wooden cutting board.

mantequilla

man-teh-KEE-yah

NounfA1

butter?dairy product

📝 In Action

Quiero pan tostado con mantequilla para el desayuno.

I want toast with butter for breakfast.

¿Puedes pasarme la mantequilla, por favor?

Can you pass me the butter, please?

La receta pide una cucharada de mantequilla derretida.

The recipe asks for one tablespoon of melted butter.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

untar mantequilla – to spread butter
mantequilla de cacahuete – peanut butter
barra de mantequilla – stick or bar of butter

Idioms & Expressions

Ser de mantequilla – To be very sensitive or easily hurt (like butter melting easily).
Caer como mantequilla – To go down very smoothly or easily (often referring to food or a quick process).

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Rule

Remember that 'mantequilla' is a feminine word, so you must use 'la' or 'una' before it (e.g., 'la mantequilla').

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing the Product and the Container

Mistake: "Some learners confuse 'mantequilla' (the product) with 'mantequillera' (the butter dish)."

Correction: Keep them separate: 'la mantequilla' is what you eat; 'la mantequillera' is the container where you store it.

⭐ Usage Tips

Using with Bread

When asking for buttered bread, the most natural phrasing is 'pan con mantequilla' (bread with butter).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: mantequilla

Question 1 of 1

Which item is NOT usually made with 'mantequilla'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

manteca(lard, animal fat) - noun

mantequería(dairy section or butter shop) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

How is 'mantequilla' different from 'manteca'?

'Mantequilla' is specifically butter, made from cow's milk. 'Manteca' usually means lard or pork fat, though in some Latin American countries, it can be a general term for any cooking fat, including butter.