How to Say "dish" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “dish” is “plato” — use 'plato' when referring to a specific prepared food item or a course on a menu, like 'the dish of the day'..
plato
/PLAH-toh//ˈplato/
Examples
¿Cuál es el plato del día en este restaurante?
What is the dish of the day in this restaurant?
Por favor, pon los platos limpios en la mesa.
Please, put the clean plates on the table.
Se me cayó un plato de cerámica y se rompió.
A ceramic plate fell on me and broke.
Mi plato favorito es la lasaña.
My favorite dish is lasagna.
Masculine Noun
Remember that 'plato' is a masculine word, so you must use 'el' or 'un' before it: 'el plato' (the plate).
Plato vs. Comida
'Comida' is the general word for 'food' or 'meal.' 'Plato' refers to a specific, prepared item of food, like a recipe or a course in a restaurant.
Using 'plata' instead of 'plato'
Mistake: “Dame la plata.”
Correction: Dame el plato. ('Plata' means 'silver' or 'money' in Latin America, not the eating utensil.)
plato
/PLAH-toh//ˈplato/
Examples
Por favor, pon los platos limpios en la mesa.
Please, put the clean plates on the table.
Se me cayó un plato de cerámica y se rompió.
A ceramic plate fell on me and broke.
¿Cuál es el plato del día en este restaurante?
What is the dish of the day in this restaurant?
Mi plato favorito es la lasaña.
My favorite dish is lasagna.
Masculine Noun
Remember that 'plato' is a masculine word, so you must use 'el' or 'un' before it: 'el plato' (the plate).
Plato vs. Comida
'Comida' is the general word for 'food' or 'meal.' 'Plato' refers to a specific, prepared item of food, like a recipe or a course in a restaurant.
Using 'plata' instead of 'plato'
Mistake: “Dame la plata.”
Correction: Dame el plato. ('Plata' means 'silver' or 'money' in Latin America, not the eating utensil.)
comida
/koh-MEE-dah//koˈmiða/
Examples
Necesito comprar comida para el fin de semana.
I need to buy food for the weekend.
Mi comida favorita es la pasta.
My favorite food is pasta.
Esta es una comida típica de mi país.
This is a typical dish from my country.
Always Feminine
No matter what kind of food you're talking about, 'comida' is a feminine word. Always use 'la' or 'una' with it, like 'la comida' (the food) or 'una comida deliciosa' (a delicious meal).
General Food vs. Specific Item
Mistake: “Pointing to an apple and asking, '¿Quieres una comida?'”
Correction: It's better to say, '¿Quieres una manzana?'. 'Comida' refers to food in general or a whole meal, not a single, specific item like one piece of fruit.
Plato vs. Comida
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