sardina
“sardina” means “sardine” in Spanish (small edible fish).
sardine
Also: skinny person
📝 In Action
Me gusta comer sardinas asadas con limón.
A1I like eating grilled sardines with lemon.
Compramos tres latas de sardinas en el mercado.
A2We bought three cans of sardines at the market.
El autobús iba tan lleno que estábamos como sardinas en lata.
B1The bus was so full that we were packed like sardines.
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Quick Quiz: sardina
Question 1 of 3
What is the correct way to say 'the sardines'?
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📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'sardina', which is believed to be named after the island of Sardinia (Sardegna) because these fish were found in abundance there.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'sardina' the same as 'boquerón'?
No, they are different species. A sardine (sardina) is generally larger and more oily than an anchovy (boquerón), though both are popular small fish in Spanish cuisine.
Can I use 'sardina' to describe a person?
In some informal contexts, calling someone a 'sardina' implies they are very thin, similar to calling someone a 'beanpole' in English.
Why is there a 'burial of the sardine' in Spain?
It's a symbolic tradition performed at the end of Carnival to represent the burial of the past and the rebirth of society, usually involving a parade with a giant fake sardine.