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How to Say "herbs" in Spanish

English → Spanish

hierbas

/YÊR-bahs//ˈjeɾβas/

nounA1general
Use this word for plants used in cooking or for their medicinal properties, especially when they are fresh or dried.
A collection of fresh green rosemary, thyme, and basil leaves tied together with a simple twine string on a wooden surface.

Examples

Cocino con hierbas frescas de mi jardín.

I cook with fresh herbs from my garden.

Tengo que quitar las malas hierbas del patio.

I have to pull the weeds from the patio.

Las hierbas medicinales son muy útiles.

Medicinal herbs are very useful.

Gender and Number

This word is feminine and plural. You must use feminine plural articles like 'las' or 'unas' with it.

Hierbas vs. Césped

Mistake: “Me gusta caminar por la hierba del estadio.”

Correction: Me gusta caminar por el césped del estadio.

simples

/SEEM-plehs//ˈsim.ples/

nounB1archaic, medical
Use this word mainly in archaic or very formal contexts, often referring to medicinal plants or remedies, sometimes in the phrase 'hierbas simples'.
A portrait of a person with wide, innocent eyes and a genuinely trusting, slightly naive smile, wearing plain, rustic clothes.

Examples

Para los simples, una vida sin lujos es suficiente.

For the simple (minded), a life without luxuries is enough.

Ellos creen que solo los simples siguen esas modas.

They believe that only common folk follow those trends.

Using Adjectives as Nouns

Like many adjectives in Spanish, 'simples' can stand alone as a noun when preceded by an article (like 'los' or 'las'), referring to the people who possess that quality.

Choosing between 'hierbas' and 'simples'

Learners often mistakenly use 'simples' when they mean common culinary or medicinal herbs. Stick to 'hierbas' for everyday use in cooking and general medicine; 'simples' is rarely used outside of specific historical or technical contexts.

Related Translations

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