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How to Say "dairy product" in Spanish

English → Spanish

lácteo

nounA2general
Use 'lácteo' when referring to dairy products in general as a category of food, often in the plural form ('lácteos').

Examples

Los lácteos son una buena fuente de calcio.

Dairy products are a good source of calcium.

derivado

/deh-ree-BAH-doh//de.ɾi.ˈβa.ðo/

nounB2technical, general
Use 'derivado' specifically when emphasizing that a product is derived or made from milk, often in the phrase 'derivado lácteo'.
A block of cheese sitting next to a glass of milk.

Examples

El queso es un derivado de la leche.

Cheese is a dairy product (derivative of milk).

Muchos plásticos son derivados del petróleo.

Many plastics are petroleum derivatives.

En matemáticas, aprendimos a calcular la derivada.

In math, we learned how to calculate the derivative.

Noun vs. Adjective

As a noun, 'un derivado' refers to the object itself. As an adjective, it describes something else. The form is the same, but the role in the sentence changes.

Math terms

Mistake: “Calculé el derivado.”

Correction: Calculé la derivada. In calculus, the specific mathematical term is always feminine (la derivada).

General vs. Specific Use

The most common mistake is using 'derivado' when 'lácteo' would be more natural. Remember that 'lácteo' is the everyday, general term for dairy products, while 'derivado' (often in 'derivado lácteo') is more technical and specific, highlighting the origin from milk.

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