How to Say "cooked" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “cooked” is “cocinado” — use 'cocinado' when referring to food that has undergone the cooking process and is ready to eat, or as the past participle of the verb 'cocinar' to describe the action of having cooked something.
cocinado
ko-see-NAH-dohkosiˈnaðo
Examples
El pollo ya está bien cocinado.
The chicken is already well cooked.
Prefiero los vegetales poco cocinados.
I prefer lightly cooked vegetables.
La carne no parecía estar totalmente cocinada.
The meat didn't seem to be fully cooked.
He cocinado una cena especial para ti.
I have cooked a special dinner for you.
Matching the Noun
As an adjective, this word must change to match what you are talking about. Use 'cocinado' for masculine things (el arroz) and 'cocinada' for feminine things (la carne).
Using with 'Estar'
Use the word 'estar' (to be) when describing food that is currently in a cooked state, like 'está cocinado'.
The 'Haber' Rule
When you use 'cocinado' after a form of 'haber' (like 'he', 'has', 'ha'), it is always 'cocinado'. It never changes to match gender or number in this specific case.
Action vs. Description
If you say 'He cocinado', you are describing the action of cooking. If you say 'Está cocinado', you are describing the state of the food.
Gender Agreement Error
Mistake: “La pasta está cocinado.”
Correction: La pasta está cocinada. Since 'pasta' is a feminine word, 'cocinado' must change to 'cocinada' to match it.
Wrong Ending with Haber
Mistake: “Ellas han cocinadas la cena.”
Correction: Ellas han cocinado la cena. When 'cocinado' follows 'han' (the helper verb), it stays exactly as it is, no matter who did the action.
cocido
ko-SEE-thokoˈθiðo
Examples
¿Prefieres el huevo pasado por agua o bien cocido?
Do you prefer your egg soft-boiled or hard-boiled (well cooked)?
Estas verduras están poco cocidas, están muy duras.
These vegetables are undercooked; they are very hard.
El jamón cocido es más suave que el jamón serrano.
Cooked ham is milder than serrano ham.
Matching the Noun
This word must change its ending to match what you are describing: 'el pollo cocido' but 'la carne cocida'.
Estar vs. Ser
Use 'estar' (to be in a state) to describe food that has finished cooking: 'La pasta ya está cocida'.
Gender Agreement
Mistake: “La papa está cocido.”
Correction: La papa está cocida. You must use the 'a' ending for feminine items.
hechos
AY-chosˈeʧos
Examples
Los postres están hechos. ¡Podemos comer ya!
The desserts are done/ready. We can eat now!
Esos muebles fueron hechos a mano por mi abuelo.
Those pieces of furniture were made by hand by my grandfather.
Los cambios están hechos y aprobados.
The changes are made and approved.
Adjective Agreement
As an adjective, 'hechos' must agree in number and gender with the noun it describes. Since it ends in '-os', it describes plural masculine nouns (e.g., 'los platos hechos', the done dishes). The feminine plural is 'hechas'.
Irregular Participle
'Hecho' is the special form of the verb 'hacer' (to do/make) used after the main action is complete. It is totally irregular—you just have to memorize it!
Mixing Forms with Ser/Estar
Mistake: “Using 'son hechos' instead of 'están hechos' when describing a temporary state (like food being ready).”
Correction: Use 'estar' (están hechos) when describing the result or state of being made/cooked. Use 'ser' (fueron hechos) only when describing the original creator or permanent origin (The chairs *were made* by him).
Cocido vs. Cocinado
Related Translations
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