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oliva

oh-LEE-bah/oˈliβa/

“oliva” means “olive” in Spanish (the small oval fruit).

olive

Also: olive tree
NounfA1
Spain (East)
A single green olive with a small leaf attached to its stem.

📝 In Action

El aceite de oliva es la base de la cocina española.

A1

Olive oil is the base of Spanish cooking.

Prefiero las olivas verdes a las negras.

A2

I prefer green olives over black ones.

La paloma llevaba una rama de oliva en el pico.

B1

The dove was carrying an olive branch in its beak.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • aceituna (olive (the fruit))
  • olivo (olive tree)

Common Collocations

  • aceite de oliva – olive oil
  • rama de oliva – olive branch
  • aceite de oliva virgen extra – extra virgin olive oil

Idioms & Expressions

  • ofrecer la rama de oliva – to make a peace offering

Vocabulary Collections

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "oliva" in Spanish:

olive→olive tree→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: oliva

Question 1 of 3

Which is the correct way to say 'olive oil' in Spanish?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
olivo(olive tree) — Noun
olivar(olive grove) — Noun
aceituna(olive) — Noun
oleícola(relating to olive cultivation) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'oliva', which originally comes from the Greek word 'elaía'. It has been used in Spanish since the language first began to form.

First recorded: 12th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: oliveFrench: oliveItalian: oliva

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'oliva' the same as 'aceituna'?

Yes, they both mean 'olive.' 'Aceituna' comes from Arabic and is more common for the snack in many countries, while 'oliva' comes from Latin and is used for the oil and in certain regions.

Can I use 'oliva' to describe the color?

Yes! You can say 'verde oliva' to describe the dark, yellowish-green color typical of the fruit.

How do I say 'olive grove'?

A field full of olive trees is called an 'olivar'.