Inklingo
← Dictionary

receta

reh-SEH-tahreˈθeta

“receta” means “recipe” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

recipe

Also: formula
NounfA1
A simple white index card resting on a wooden kitchen counter next to a wooden spoon and a bowl filled with colorful chopped vegetables.

📝 In Action

¿Tienes la receta de este delicioso pastel de chocolate?

A1

Do you have the recipe for this delicious chocolate cake?

Mi abuela guarda todas sus recetas en un libro viejo.

A2

My grandmother keeps all her recipes in an old book.

Parece que la receta para el éxito es mucho trabajo y un poco de suerte.

B1

It seems the formula for success is a lot of hard work and a bit of luck.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • libro de recetas – cookbook
  • seguir la receta – to follow the recipe

prescription

Also: script
NounfB1
Mexico, Central America
A small, folded piece of paper resting on a white counter next to a brown bottle of pills and a traditional mortar and pestle, suggesting a pharmacy setting.

📝 In Action

El doctor me dio una receta para antibióticos.

B1

The doctor gave me a prescription for antibiotics.

Sin la receta, la farmacia no puede venderte esa medicina.

B2

Without the prescription, the pharmacy cannot sell you that medicine.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • prescripción (prescription (more formal))

Common Collocations

  • receta médica – medical prescription
  • pedir una receta – to ask for a prescription

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "receta" in Spanish:

formula→prescription→recipe→script→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: receta

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'receta' in its medical context?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
recetar(to prescribe) — Verb
recetario(cookbook / formulary) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Latin word *recepta*, meaning 'things received' or 'something taken.' This origin connects both modern meanings: instructions for receiving ingredients (recipe) or instructions for receiving medicine (prescription).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: ricettaFrench: recette

💡 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

Why does 'receta' mean both 'recipe' and 'prescription'?

Both meanings share the core idea of a 'formula' or a 'set of instructions.' A cooking recipe tells you the steps and ingredients for a meal, and a medical prescription tells the pharmacist the steps and ingredients for a medicine. It’s a very efficient way for Spanish to use one word for two related concepts.