Inklingo

How to Say "bean" in Spanish

English → Spanish

frijol

/free-HOAL//fɾiˈxol/

nounA1general
Use 'frijol' when referring to the edible seed of the legume plant, commonly eaten as a staple food, often cooked with rice or in stews.
A small pile of dried, shiny black beans resting on a clean wooden surface.

Examples

Me gusta comer arroz con frijoles todos los días.

I like to eat rice and beans every day.

Debes remojar el frijol en agua antes de cocinarlo.

You should soak the bean in water before cooking it.

Los frijoles negros son una base importante en la dieta caribeña.

Black beans are an important staple in the Caribbean diet.

Mostly Plural

Even though 'frijol' is the singular name, we almost always say 'frijoles' in the plural when talking about a meal because you never eat just one!

Masculine Gender

This word is masculine, so always use 'el' or 'los'. For example: 'El frijol está rico'.

Gender Error

Mistake: “La frijol es nutritiva.”

Correction: El frijol es nutritivo. (Frijol is a masculine noun, so it needs masculine articles and adjectives.)

judía

nounA1general
Use 'judía' when referring to the green pod of the bean plant, typically eaten as a vegetable, such as in side dishes or salads.

Examples

Quiero un plato de pollo con judías verdes.

I want a plate of chicken with green beans.

Frijol vs. Judía: Seed vs. Pod

The most common mistake is using 'frijol' when you mean the green vegetable pod, or vice-versa. Remember 'frijol' refers to the seed (like kidney beans or black beans), while 'judía' (especially 'judías verdes') refers to the long green pod.

Related Translations

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