Inklingo

How to Say "cooking" in Spanish

English → Spanish

cocinando

/ko-see-NAHN-doh//koθiˈnando/

verbA1
Use this word when you are describing the ongoing action of preparing food at the present moment.
A person wearing an apron stirring a large pot on a stove with steam rising.

Examples

Estoy cocinando la cena ahora mismo.

I am cooking dinner right now.

¿Qué estás cocinando? Huele muy bien.

What are you cooking? It smells very good.

Me gusta escuchar música cocinando.

I like to listen to music while cooking.

The Gerund (the '-ing' form)

In Spanish, words ending in '-ando' work like English words ending in '-ing'. Use 'cocinando' when you want to show that the cooking is happening right now.

Don't use it as a noun

Mistake: “Cocinando es mi pasión.”

Correction: Cocinar es mi pasión. (In Spanish, use the basic -ar form of the verb when you want to use the action as a noun.)

cocinero

/koh-see-NEH-roh//ko.siˈne.ɾo/

adjectiveB1
Use this word when you need to describe something that is related to or used for the preparation of food.
A storybook illustration showing hands actively chopping colorful vegetables (carrots, onions, peppers) on a wooden cutting board with a large knife.

Examples

Necesitamos comprar un nuevo equipo cocinero.

We need to buy new cooking equipment.

El reto cocinero de esta semana es preparar un plato regional.

This week's culinary challenge is to prepare a regional dish.

Adjective Agreement

When used as an adjective, 'cocinero' must match the noun it describes. For example, if you talk about 'tareas' (feminine plural), you must say 'tareas cocineras'.

Action vs. Adjective

The most common mistake is using 'cocinero' when you mean the action of cooking. Remember, 'cocinando' is the gerund (the '-ing' form) for the verb 'cocinar', describing the activity itself. 'Cocinero' acts as an adjective, modifying a noun related to cooking.

Related Translations

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