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How to Say "pastries" in Spanish

English → Spanish

pasteles

pahs-TEH-lehs/pasˈt̪e.les/

nounA1general
Use 'pasteles' when referring to individual, often sweet, baked treats like small cakes, tarts, or pies, commonly served for celebrations or as desserts.
Three small, brightly frosted miniature cakes arranged neatly on a serving platter.

Examples

Para la fiesta de cumpleaños, compramos muchos pasteles diferentes.

For the birthday party, we bought many different cakes.

Me encantan los pasteles de chocolate y vainilla.

I love chocolate and vanilla pastries.

Plural Form

This word is the plural of 'pastel' (cake). Since 'pastel' ends in a consonant (L), we add '-es' to make it plural.

Pastel vs. Torta

Mistake: “Using 'pastel' for a large, stacked layer cake common in the US.”

Correction: While 'pastel' can mean cake, 'torta' (or 'bizcocho' in some regions) is often preferred for large, elaborate layer cakes, especially in Mexico and Central America. 'Pasteles' usually refers to smaller individual portions or tarts.

masas

/MAH-sahs//ˈmasas/

nounA2general
Use 'masas' when referring to the dough or the unbaked or un-individualized baked goods made from dough, especially when discussing the baking process itself.
Several round mounds of smooth bread dough resting on a wooden table sprinkled with flour.

Examples

Hay que dejar reposar las masas antes de hornear.

The doughs must be left to rest before baking.

En esta panadería venden masas dulces deliciosas.

They sell delicious sweet pastries in this bakery.

Making it Plural

This is the plural form of 'masa'. Since it ends in -a, we add -s to talk about more than one.

Masa vs. Pasta

Mistake: “Using 'pasta' for bread dough.”

Correction: Use 'masa' for bread or pizza dough. 'Pasta' is usually for Italian noodles or toothpaste.

Pasteles vs. Masas

Learners often confuse 'pasteles' and 'masas' because both can refer to baked goods. Remember that 'pasteles' usually implies individual, finished items like cakes or tarts, while 'masas' refers more broadly to dough or the unformed/unindividualized baked product.

Related Translations

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