sabor
“sabor” means “flavor” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
flavor, taste
Also: savor
📝 In Action
El pastel de mi abuela tiene un sabor a vainilla muy fuerte.
A1My grandmother's cake has a very strong vanilla flavor.
¿Qué sabor de helado prefieres, chocolate o fresa?
A1What flavor of ice cream do you prefer, chocolate or strawberry?
Este café tiene un sabor amargo, pero me gusta.
A2This coffee has a bitter taste, but I like it.
essence, feel
Also: vibe, soul
📝 In Action
Esa canción tiene mucho sabor a los años 80.
B1That song has a lot of the feel/style of the 80s.
El festival le dio un sabor especial a la ciudad.
B2The festival gave a special character/vibe to the city.
La novela carece de sabor humano.
C1The novel lacks human essence/soul.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: sabor
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'sabor' in its figurative sense (meaning character or essence)?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word 'sabor' comes from the Latin word *sapor*, which meant 'taste' or 'flavor.' This Latin root is also closely linked to the verb *sapere*, which meant 'to taste' but also 'to be wise.' This shows a historical connection between the sense of taste and intelligence, suggesting that tasting was once seen as a way of knowing.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'sabor' the same as 'gusto'?
Not exactly. 'Sabor' is the actual quality or flavor of the food itself (e.g., 'the flavor is sweet'). 'Gusto' can refer to the sense of taste (e.g., 'your sense of taste is good') or, more commonly, to personal preference and liking (e.g., 'I like it').
How do I say 'to taste' in Spanish?
If you mean 'to sample' or 'to try a tiny bit of food,' use 'probar' (e.g., 'Voy a probar la sopa'). If you mean 'to enjoy the flavor slowly and deeply,' use 'saborear' (e.g., 'Saboreo mi café').