Inklingo

How to Say "plantain" in Spanish

English → Spanish

plátano

nounA1general
Use 'plátano' for the larger, starchy plantain variety typically used for cooking, which is distinct from the sweet dessert banana.

Examples

Me gusta comer un plátano después de hacer ejercicio.

I like to eat a plantain after exercising.

banana

/bah-NAH-nah//baˈnana/

nounA1general
Use 'banana' when referring to a cooking variety of plantain, but be aware this usage can vary by region and 'plátano' might be more common.
A single bright yellow banana with a small brown stem, resting on a clean white background.

Examples

Comí una banana en el desayuno.

I ate a plantain for breakfast.

Me gusta el licuado de banana con leche.

I like the banana smoothie with milk.

Ten cuidado con la cáscara de la banana en el suelo.

Be careful with the banana peel on the floor.

Always Feminine

Even though many fruits in Spanish can be masculine (like 'el limón' or 'el mango'), 'banana' is always feminine. Always use 'la' or 'una' with it.

One fruit, many names

The word for banana changes based on the country you are in. While 'banana' works in many places, knowing the local word helps you sound like a native.

Using 'el banana'

Mistake: “Quiero el banana.”

Correction: Quiero la banana. (Words ending in 'a' are almost always feminine in Spanish.)

Plátano vs. Banana Confusion

The most common mistake is using 'banana' when 'plátano' is the intended word for the cooking plantain. While 'banana' can sometimes refer to plantains regionally, 'plátano' is the clearer and more widely understood term for this specific type of fruit.

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