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How to Say "grain" in Spanish

English → Spanish

grano

GRAH-noh/ˈɡɾano/

nounA1general
Use 'grano' when referring to agricultural products collectively, such as wheat, rice, or corn, especially when discussing them as a harvest or commodity.
A small pile of shiny, golden wheat grains resting on a light brown surface.

Examples

El agricultor cosechó mucho grano este año.

The farmer harvested a lot of grain this year.

Quiero un café hecho con granos enteros.

I want a coffee made with whole beans.

Solo queda un grano de arena en el reloj.

There is only one grain of sand left in the clock.

Always Masculine

Even though it refers to small, countable items like seeds, 'grano' is always a masculine noun ('el grano').

trigo

/TREE-goh//ˈtɾi.ɣo/

nounA2general
Use 'trigo' specifically when referring to wheat, either the plant in the field or as an ingredient (like flour).
A close-up illustration of golden stalks of wheat swaying in a field.

Examples

El pan está hecho de harina de trigo.

Bread is made from wheat flour.

Los campos de trigo son hermosos en verano.

The wheat fields are beautiful in the summer.

No puedo comer trigo porque soy celíaco.

I can't eat wheat because I am celiac.

Always Masculine

The word 'trigo' is always masculine. Even if you are talking about a lot of it, use 'el' or 'mucho'.

Singular vs. Plural

Like the word 'rice,' we usually use 'trigo' in the singular form to talk about the grain in general.

Confusing with flour

Mistake: “Using 'trigo' when you mean 'harina'.”

Correction: Use 'trigo' for the plant/grain and 'harina' for the white powder used in baking.

semilla

/seh-MEE-yah//seˈmiʝa/

nounA1general
Use 'semilla' when talking about a single seed, especially for planting, or metaphorically for the start of something.
A small brown seed resting in rich dark soil with a tiny green sprout beginning to emerge.

Examples

Necesitas plantar la semilla en tierra húmeda.

You need to plant the seed in moist soil.

Esta sandía no tiene semillas.

This watermelon doesn't have seeds.

Las semillas de chía son muy saludables.

Chia seeds are very healthy.

Always Feminine

Even if you are talking about a masculine plant like 'el manzano' (the apple tree), the word 'semilla' stays feminine. Use 'la' and 'una' with it.

Seed vs. Pip

Mistake: “Using 'hueso' for tiny seeds.”

Correction: Use 'hueso' (bone) for large pits like avocados or peaches, but 'semilla' or 'pepita' for small ones like apples or lemons.

Confusing 'grano' with 'semilla'

Learners often confuse 'grano' and 'semilla'. Remember that 'grano' usually refers to the harvested crop in bulk (like rice or wheat), whereas 'semilla' refers to a single seed, typically for planting. You wouldn't usually plant a 'grano' of rice; you'd plant a 'semilla'.

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