Inklingo

How to Say "cream" in Spanish

English → Spanish

crema

KRAY-mah/ˈkɾema/

nounA1general
Use 'crema' when referring to the dairy product found in milk, or a cosmetic/medicinal lotion applied to the skin.
A close-up view of thick white dairy cream poured over bright red strawberries.

Examples

¿Quieres un poco de crema en tu café?

Do you want a little cream in your coffee?

Esta tarta lleva mucha crema de chocolate.

This cake has a lot of chocolate filling/custard.

Me puse crema hidratante después de la ducha.

I put on moisturizing cream after the shower.

No olvides llevar la crema solar a la playa.

Don't forget to take the sun cream to the beach.

Always Feminine

Even though 'crema' ends in -a, it is always a feminine word, so you must use 'la' or 'una' before it.

Color Invariable

When used as a color, 'crema' usually acts like a noun describing the color, so it typically does not change its ending to match the noun it describes (it stays 'crema' whether the noun is singular, plural, masculine, or feminine).

Changing the Ending

Mistake: “Unos zapatos cremas.”

Correction: Unos zapatos crema. (The color name remains singular and feminine/invariable.)

crema

KRAY-mah/ˈkɾema/

nounA2general
Use 'crema' when referring to a cosmetic or medicinal lotion applied to the skin.
A close-up view of thick white dairy cream poured over bright red strawberries.

Examples

Me puse crema hidratante después de la ducha.

I put on moisturizing cream after the shower.

¿Quieres un poco de crema en tu café?

Do you want a little cream in your coffee?

Esta tarta lleva mucha crema de chocolate.

This cake has a lot of chocolate filling/custard.

No olvides llevar la crema solar a la playa.

Don't forget to take the sun cream to the beach.

Always Feminine

Even though 'crema' ends in -a, it is always a feminine word, so you must use 'la' or 'una' before it.

Color Invariable

When used as a color, 'crema' usually acts like a noun describing the color, so it typically does not change its ending to match the noun it describes (it stays 'crema' whether the noun is singular, plural, masculine, or feminine).

Changing the Ending

Mistake: “Unos zapatos cremas.”

Correction: Unos zapatos crema. (The color name remains singular and feminine/invariable.)

crema

KRAY-mah/ˈkɾema/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'crema' as an adjective to describe a pale yellow or off-white color, like that of cream.
A close-up view of thick white dairy cream poured over bright red strawberries.

Examples

Necesito pintar la pared de color crema.

I need to paint the wall cream-colored.

¿Quieres un poco de crema en tu café?

Do you want a little cream in your coffee?

Esta tarta lleva mucha crema de chocolate.

This cake has a lot of chocolate filling/custard.

Me puse crema hidratante después de la ducha.

I put on moisturizing cream after the shower.

Always Feminine

Even though 'crema' ends in -a, it is always a feminine word, so you must use 'la' or 'una' before it.

Color Invariable

When used as a color, 'crema' usually acts like a noun describing the color, so it typically does not change its ending to match the noun it describes (it stays 'crema' whether the noun is singular, plural, masculine, or feminine).

Changing the Ending

Mistake: “Unos zapatos cremas.”

Correction: Unos zapatos crema. (The color name remains singular and feminine/invariable.)

flor

/flor//floɾ/

nounB1figurative
Use 'flor' figuratively to mean the best part, prime, or peak of something, often referring to a person's youth or a select group.
A large, perfectly bloomed golden sunflower, facing brightly upwards, towering over several small, green, closed flower buds.

Examples

Estaba en la flor de su juventud cuando se hizo famoso.

He was in the prime of his youth when he became famous.

Esa novela representa la flor de la literatura de esa época.

That novel represents the cream of the literature of that era.

Fixed Phrase

This meaning is almost always found in the phrase 'la flor de...' (the prime of...), linking the concept to a time period or a group.

Confusing 'Crema' with 'Flor'

The most common mistake is using 'crema' when the English 'cream' is used figuratively. Remember that 'flor' means the 'best part' or 'prime', while 'crema' is for dairy, lotions, or the color.

Related Translations

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