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How to Say "dishes" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “dishes” is “platos” — use 'platos' when referring to the individual plates, bowls, and cutlery that need to be washed after a meal..

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platos

/plah-tohs//ˈpla.tos/

nounA1general
Use 'platos' when referring to the individual plates, bowls, and cutlery that need to be washed after a meal.
A neat stack of three clean, empty ceramic dinner plates, ready for use.

Examples

Por favor, pon los platos sucios en el fregadero.

Please put the dirty dishes in the sink.

Compramos unos platos nuevos para la fiesta.

We bought some new dishes for the party.

En este restaurante sirven platos muy originales.

In this restaurant, they serve very original dishes.

El menú tiene tres platos principales diferentes.

The menu has three different main courses.

Masculine Plural

Since the singular form 'plato' ends in 'o', it is a masculine word. When plural, it keeps the masculine gender marker (los platos).

Referring to Food

When talking about the food itself (the recipe or meal), you use 'platos.' The singular 'plato' works for one specific food item, like 'Mi plato favorito es la paella' (My favorite dish is paella).

Using the wrong article

Mistake: “Las platos”

Correction: Los platos. Remember, 'plato' is masculine, so use 'los' for the plural.

platos

/plah-tohs//ˈpla.tos/

nounA2general
Use 'platos' to talk about specific prepared meals, recipes, or courses offered at a restaurant or made at home.
A neat stack of three clean, empty ceramic dinner plates, ready for use.

Examples

En este restaurante sirven platos muy originales.

In this restaurant, they serve very original dishes.

Por favor, pon los platos sucios en el fregadero.

Please put the dirty plates in the sink.

Compramos unos platos nuevos para la fiesta.

We bought some new dishes for the party.

El menú tiene tres platos principales diferentes.

The menu has three different main courses.

Masculine Plural

Since the singular form 'plato' ends in 'o', it is a masculine word. When plural, it keeps the masculine gender marker (los platos).

Referring to Food

When talking about the food itself (the recipe or meal), you use 'platos.' The singular 'plato' works for one specific food item, like 'Mi plato favorito es la paella' (My favorite dish is paella).

Using the wrong article

Mistake: “Las platos”

Correction: Los platos. Remember, 'plato' is masculine, so use 'los' for the plural.

fuentes

FWEHN-tehs/ˈfwen̪tes/

nounA2general
Use 'fuentes' when referring to large serving platters or bowls used to present food to be shared.
A large, empty, oval white ceramic serving platter resting on a wooden table.

Examples

Necesito dos fuentes grandes para servir el pavo y el arroz.

I need two large dishes/platters to serve the turkey and rice.

Lava las fuentes de cerámica antes de guardarlas.

Wash the ceramic serving dishes before storing them.

Serving Dish vs. Plate

Mistake: “Using 'platos' when you mean a large serving dish.”

Correction: 'Platos' are individual plates. 'Fuentes' are the large dishes used to serve food to everyone.

Platos vs. Fuentes for Serving

Learners often confuse 'platos' and 'fuentes' when talking about serving food. Remember that 'platos' can refer to prepared meals, but for the actual serving containers, 'fuentes' is used for platters and large bowls, while 'platos' specifically means the individual plates.

Related Translations

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