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How to Say "fresh" in Spanish

English → Spanish

fresco

FRES-koh/ˈfɾesko/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'fresco' when referring to something that is newly made, recently harvested, or not spoiled, like food or air.
A single, glistening, perfectly ripe strawberry resting on a wooden cutting board, emphasizing freshness.

Examples

Compramos pescado fresco en el mercado.

We bought fresh fish at the market.

Ella siempre tiene ideas frescas para el trabajo.

She always has fresh ideas for work.

Using 'Estar' for Condition

When talking about the current state of food (is it fresh right now?), use the verb 'estar': 'La carne está fresca' (The meat is fresh).

dulce

/DOOL-seh//ˈdul.se/

adjectiveA1specific context
Use 'dulce' for 'freshwater' (agua dulce), meaning not salty, but be aware that 'dulce' primarily means 'sweet'.
A single, perfectly ripe red strawberry covered lightly in sparkling white sugar crystals, emphasizing its sweet taste.

Examples

El agua de este río es dulce.

The water in this river is fresh (not salty).

El café está demasiado dulce para mí.

The coffee is too sweet for me.

Mi abuela es una mujer muy dulce y amable.

My grandmother is a very sweet and kind woman.

Los peces de agua dulce viven en ríos y lagos.

Freshwater fish live in rivers and lakes.

Adjectives That Don't Change

Adjectives that end in '-e', like 'dulce', are super easy! They don't change for masculine or feminine things. It's 'el pastel dulce' (masculine) and 'la fresa dulce' (feminine).

Don't Add an '-a' for Feminine

Mistake: “La manzana es dulca.”

Correction: La manzana es dulce. Because 'dulce' ends in '-e', it stays the same for both masculine and feminine things.

reciente

reh-SYEN-teh/reˈsjen.te/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'reciente' when describing news, events, or information that has happened or been released very recently.
A steaming, golden-brown loaf of bread sitting on a wooden cooling rack, indicating it was baked very recently.

Examples

El informe más reciente está en la mesa.

The most recent report is on the table.

Esta es la película más reciente del director.

This is the director's latest movie.

A causa de la reciente lluvia, el suelo está mojado.

Because of the recent rain, the ground is wet.

Gender is Easy!

Unlike many Spanish adjectives, 'reciente' always looks the same, whether you are describing a masculine thing (el coche reciente) or a feminine thing (la noticia reciente). It only changes to 'recientes' when plural.

Forgetting the Plural 's'

Mistake: “Vi las dos publicación reciente.”

Correction: Vi las dos publicaciones recientes. (Make sure to add the '-s' when describing more than one thing.)

Confusing 'fresco' with 'dulce' for water

Learners often confuse 'fresco' with 'dulce' when talking about water. Remember, 'fresco' is never used for water; 'agua fresca' means cool water, while 'agua dulce' specifically means freshwater (not salty).

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