Inklingo

How to Say "dressing" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “dressing” is “salsa” — use 'salsa' when referring to a sauce or topping, especially for salads or pasta..

English → Spanish

salsa

SAHL-sah/ˈsalsa/

nounA1general
Use 'salsa' when referring to a sauce or topping, especially for salads or pasta.
A small ceramic bowl filled with bright red salsa (sauce) condiment, featuring visible chunks of tomatoes and chilies, next to a few yellow tortilla chips.

Examples

Me gusta la ensalada con mucha salsa de mostaza y miel.

I like salad with a lot of honey-mustard dressing.

La salsa de tomate es esencial para la pasta.

Tomato sauce is essential for pasta.

¿Quieres un poco de salsa picante para tus tacos?

Do you want some hot sauce for your tacos?

Prefiero la ensalada con vinagreta en lugar de una salsa cremosa.

I prefer the salad with vinaigrette instead of a creamy dressing.

Gender Check

Since 'salsa' ends in '-a' and is feminine, you must use the feminine article 'la' or 'una' with it.

Confusing 'salsa' and 'jugo'

Mistake: “Using 'jugo' (juice) when you mean 'salsa' (sauce).”

Correction: 'Jugo' is usually a drink from fruit; 'salsa' is a thickened, cooked condiment for food.

venda

/BEN-dah//ˈbenda/

nounA2medical
Use 'venda' when referring to a bandage or dressing for a wound.
A roll of white medical gauze bandage next to a person's wrapped wrist.

Examples

Necesito una venda para cubrir el corte en mi dedo.

I need a dressing to cover the cut on my finger.

La enfermera me puso una venda limpia en la rodilla.

The nurse put a clean bandage on my knee.

Tienes que quitarte la venda de los ojos.

You have to take off the blindfold (figuratively: see the truth).

Gender of Venda

This is a feminine noun, so always use 'la' or 'una' with it.

Venda vs. Venta

Mistake: “Using 'venda' to mean 'a sale'.”

Correction: Use 'venta' for a commercial sale; 'venda' is for medical bandages.

Salad Sauce vs. Wound Bandage

The most common mistake is using 'salsa' when you mean a medical bandage. Remember, 'salsa' is for food, like salad dressing, while 'venda' is for injuries.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.