pastel
“pastel” means “cake” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
cake, pastry
Also: tart
📝 In Action
Mi madre compró un pastel de chocolate para mi cumpleaños.
A1My mother bought a chocolate cake for my birthday.
Necesitamos velas para el pastel.
A1We need candles for the cake.
pie
Also: pasty
📝 In Action
Mi abuela prepara un delicioso pastel de papa con queso.
B1My grandmother makes a delicious potato pie with cheese (or shepherd's pie).
Pedimos un pastel de carne en el restaurante.
B1We ordered a meat pie at the restaurant.
pastel
Also: pale
📝 In Action
Ella siempre usa ropa en tonos pastel.
B1She always wears clothes in pastel tones.
La pared está pintada de un color azul pastel muy claro.
B2The wall is painted a very light pastel blue color.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: pastel
Question 1 of 1
Which of these sentences uses 'pastel' to describe a color?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
'Pastel' comes from Medieval Latin *pastellus*, meaning 'small pastry' or 'small lump of dough.' This, in turn, is a variation of *pasta*, meaning 'dough' or 'paste.' The color meaning came much later, referring to the soft sticks (pastels) used for drawing.
First recorded: 14th century (in Spanish)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'pastel' always sweet?
Not always! While 'pastel' most commonly means a sweet cake (like a birthday cake), it is frequently used in Latin America and Spain to refer to large savory baked dishes, like a 'pastel de carne' (meat pie) or a 'pastel de papa' (potato pie). Context is the best clue.
What's the difference between 'pastel' and 'torta'?
Both mean 'cake,' but usage depends heavily on the region. In Spain and Mexico, 'pastel' is the most common word for cake. In countries like Argentina, Venezuela, or Colombia, 'torta' is often preferred for a layered cake, while 'pastel' might refer to a small pastry or a savory pie.