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pepino

peh-PEE-noh/peˈpino/

cucumber

Also: nothing / not a bit
NounmA1
Spain
A whole green cucumber and several sliced cucumber rounds on a clean wooden surface.

📝 In Action

Me gusta comer ensalada de pepino en verano.

A1

I like to eat cucumber salad in the summer.

Tienes que pelar el pepino antes de cortarlo.

A2

You have to peel the cucumber before cutting it.

Me importa un pepino lo que digan de mí.

B1

I don't care a bit about what they say about me.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • cohombro (cucumber (old-fashioned/technical))

Common Collocations

  • pepino fresco – fresh cucumber
  • rodajas de pepino – cucumber slices
  • pepino de mar – sea cucumber

Idioms & Expressions

  • Me importa un pepino – I don't care at all
  • Estar como un pepino – To be very healthy or in great shape

beast / masterpiece / beauty

NounmB2slang
Spain
A sleek, bright red sports car with a shiny finish and aerodynamic design.

📝 In Action

¡Vaya pepino de coche te has comprado!

B2

What a beast of a car you've bought!

Este ordenador nuevo es un pepino, va súper rápido.

C1

This new computer is amazing, it's super fast.

Su nueva raqueta es un pepino.

B2

His new racket is top-of-the-line.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • maquinón (great machine)
  • joya (jewel/gem)

Antonyms

  • trasto (piece of junk)

Common Collocations

  • un pepino de... – a beast of a...

Vocabulary Collections

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "pepino" in Spanish:

cucumber→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: pepino

Question 1 of 3

What does someone mean if they say 'Me importa un pepino'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
pepinillo(pickle) — Noun
pepinar(cucumber field) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'pepo', which referred to a type of large melon or gourd. Over time, the word evolved in Spanish to specifically mean the cucumber we know today.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: pepinoItalian: poppone

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'pepino' a fruit or a vegetable in Spanish?

Botanically it's a fruit, but in Spanish (just like in English), it is linguistically and culinarily treated as a 'verdura' (vegetable).

Can I use 'pepino' to mean a pickle?

Usually no. You should use 'pepinillo' for pickles. If you say 'pepino,' people will think of the long, fresh vegetable used in salads.

Is 'Me importa un pepino' rude?

It is informal and a bit blunt, but it's not considered a 'bad word' or a swear word. It's safe to use with friends and family.