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How to Say "banana" in Spanish

English → Spanish

banana

/bah-NAH-nah//baˈnana/

nounA1general
Use 'banana' when referring to the sweet, yellow tropical fruit, especially in many parts of Latin America.
A single bright yellow banana with a small brown stem, resting on a clean white background.

Examples

Comí una banana en el desayuno.

I ate a banana for breakfast.

Me gusta el licuado de banana con leche.

I like the banana smoothie with milk.

Ten cuidado con la cáscara de la banana en el suelo.

Be careful with the banana peel on the floor.

Always Feminine

Even though many fruits in Spanish can be masculine (like 'el limón' or 'el mango'), 'banana' is always feminine. Always use 'la' or 'una' with it.

One fruit, many names

The word for banana changes based on the country you are in. While 'banana' works in many places, knowing the local word helps you sound like a native.

Using 'el banana'

Mistake: “Quiero el banana.”

Correction: Quiero la banana. (Words ending in 'a' are almost always feminine in Spanish.)

plátano

nounA1general
Use 'plátano' for the sweet yellow fruit eaten raw, common in Spain and some other regions, though it can also refer to plantains in some areas.

Examples

Me gusta comer un plátano después de hacer ejercicio.

I like to eat a banana after exercising.

Regional Usage is Key

The most common mistake is assuming one word is universally correct. 'Banana' is more common in Latin America, while 'plátano' is prevalent in Spain. Be aware that 'plátano' can also mean plantain in some regions, so context is important.

Related Translations

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