Inklingo
← Dictionary

pasteles

pahs-TEH-lehs/pasˈt̪e.les/

cakes, pastries

Also: tarts
NounmA1
Three small, brightly frosted miniature cakes arranged neatly on a serving platter.

📝 In Action

Para la fiesta de cumpleaños, compramos muchos pasteles diferentes.

A1

For the birthday party, we bought many different cakes.

Me encantan los pasteles de chocolate y vainilla.

A2

I love chocolate and vanilla pastries.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • tortas (cakes (often larger layer cakes))
  • dulces (sweets)

Common Collocations

  • comprar pasteles – to buy cakes/pastries
  • pasteles frescos – fresh pastries

pastels

Also: pastel crayons
NounmB1
A collection of colorful chalk pastel sticks lying flat, showing various soft hues.

📝 In Action

Ella prefiere dibujar con pasteles en lugar de pintura.

B1

She prefers to draw with pastels instead of paint.

La habitación estaba decorada con colores pasteles, muy suaves.

B2

The room was decorated with pastel colors, very soft.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • tizas (chalk)
  • pigmentos (pigments)

Common Collocations

  • pasteles al óleo – oil pastels
  • tonos pasteles – pastel shades

savory dumplings

Also: Puerto Rican tamales
NounmC1
Puerto RicoDominican Republic
Two savory Caribbean pasteles, oblong in shape, wrapped tightly in vibrant green banana leaves and tied with kitchen string.

📝 In Action

Los pasteles puertorriqueños se hacen con masa de plátano y carne de cerdo.

C1

Puerto Rican 'pasteles' are made with plantain dough and pork.

En mi casa, no puede faltar un plato de pasteles durante la Navidad.

B2

In my house, a plate of 'pasteles' is essential during Christmas.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • hallacas (Venezuelan tamales)
  • tamales (tamales)

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: pasteles

Question 1 of 2

If you are in a shop in Madrid and ask for 'pasteles,' what are you most likely ordering?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
pastel(cake, pie, or pastel color) — Noun
pastelería(pastry shop, bakery) — Noun
pastelero(pastry chef) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
nivelespapeles
📚 Etymology▼

The word traces back to Old French *pastel*, which was derived from a Latin root meaning 'dough' or 'paste.' This dual meaning explains why it refers both to edible dough (cakes) and to pigments mixed into a paste (art pastels).

First recorded: 12th century (in its root form)

Cognates (Related words)

French: pâtisserieEnglish: paste

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'pastel' masculine or feminine?

'Pastel' is a masculine noun, so its plural form 'pasteles' is also masculine. You would use 'los pasteles' (the cakes).

How do I ask for a large cake, not small pastries?

While 'pastel' works, it's often safer to use 'tarta' (especially in Spain) or 'torta' (in Mexico and parts of Latin America) to ensure you get a full-sized layer cake.