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How to Say "extract" in Spanish

English → Spanish

extracto

ex-TRAK-toheksˈtɾakto

nounB1general
Use 'extracto' when referring to a concentrated liquid, like vanilla or almond extract used in cooking, or a portion taken from a larger written work.
A small glass dropper bottle with a single drop of brown liquid falling into a bowl of water.

Examples

Necesitamos una cucharadita de extracto de vainilla.

We need a teaspoon of vanilla extract.

He leído un extracto de su nueva novela.

I have read an excerpt from her new novel.

El extracto del informe resume los puntos clave.

The summary of the report outlines the key points.

It's always masculine

Regardless of whether you are talking about vanilla or a book, 'extracto' is always a masculine noun, so use 'el' or 'un'.

Using 'de' for origin

Just like in English, we use 'de' (of/from) to say what the extract is made of or where it was taken from.

Extracto vs. Resumen

Mistake: “Using 'extracto' when you mean a school essay summary.”

Correction: Use 'resumen' for a general summary you wrote; use 'extracto' for a specific piece directly taken from the original text.

esencia

eh-SEHN-syaheˈsen.θja

nounB1general
Use 'esencia' for a concentrated flavor or scent, often implying a pure or fundamental quality, similar to an essential oil.
A clear glass dropper bottle containing a small amount of dark, concentrated amber liquid, sitting next to a small heap of fresh, vibrant purple lavender flowers.

Examples

Añade unas gotas de esencia de limón al glaseado.

Add a few drops of lemon essence (extract) to the frosting.

Compré una esencia de lavanda para el difusor.

I bought a lavender essential oil for the diffuser.

Esta colonia tiene una esencia dulce muy agradable.

This cologne has a very pleasant sweet fragrance.

Extract vs. Oil

Mistake: “Using 'esencia' for crude oil or cooking oil ('aceite').”

Correction: 'Esencia' usually implies a concentrated, scented, or flavored liquid. For cooking oil, use 'aceite de cocina', and for petroleum, use 'petróleo'.

fragmento

frahg-MEHN-tohfɾaɣˈmento

nounB1general
Choose 'fragmento' specifically when you mean a small piece or part broken off from a larger whole, particularly a piece of text or a larger object.
An open book with a single paragraph highlighted by a bright yellow glow.

Examples

Leímos un fragmento de 'Don Quijote' en clase.

We read an excerpt from 'Don Quixote' in class.

Escuché un fragmento de su nueva canción en la radio.

I heard a snippet of her new song on the radio.

El documental muestra un fragmento de la entrevista original.

The documentary shows a passage from the original interview.

Describing the excerpt

When describing the type of excerpt, the adjective comes after: 'fragmento seleccionado' (selected excerpt).

Confusing with 'fracción'

Mistake: “Una fracción del libro.”

Correction: Un fragmento del libro. 'Fracción' is mostly used for math or percentages, while 'fragmento' is for content.

Confusing 'extracto' and 'fragmento'

The most common mistake is using 'fragmento' when you mean a liquid extract for cooking. Remember that 'extracto' is the standard term for culinary extracts like vanilla or almond, while 'fragmento' refers to a piece of text or something broken off.

Related Translations

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