How to Say "maize" in Spanish
The Spanish word for “maize” is “maíz” — A1 level. This is a very common word in everyday Spanish.
Examples
En México, el maíz es la base de casi toda la comida.
In Mexico, corn is the base of almost all the food.
Necesitamos comprar una bolsa de maíz para hacer palomitas.
We need to buy a bag of corn to make popcorn.
Los agricultores cultivan maíz y frijoles en el campo.
The farmers grow maize and beans in the field.
Masculine Noun Rule
Even though 'maíz' ends in 'z', it is a masculine noun. Always use 'el' or 'un' before it: 'el maíz'.
The Accent Mark
The accent on the 'í' means the stress falls heavily on the second syllable: ma-ÍZ. This is why you hear /mah-EES/ and not MA-iz.
Confusing Regional Terms
Mistake: “Using 'maíz' when you mean 'elote' or 'choclo'.”
Correction: While 'maíz' is the general term for the grain, many regions use different words for the ear of corn itself (like 'elote' in Mexico or 'choclo' in parts of South America). Stick to 'maíz' when talking about the kernel or processed grain.
Related Translations
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